If you had chickenpox, can you get it again?

Past infection usually leaves immune memory. A second episode can occur, particularly when immunity is weakened, although another diagnosis may fit better. Shingles happens when the chickenpox virus becomes active again in nerve tissue; it often causes painful blisters in a band on one side of the body rather than a widespread itchy rash. Fever and skin blisters can accompany several infections, so their pattern, timing and distribution matter.

Avoid scratching or deliberately opening blisters, wash your hands after touching the rash, and avoid close contact with pregnant people, newborns and anyone with reduced immunity until a clinician advises that it is safe. Arrange a GP consultation promptly, especially if the rash is spreading or you are unsure whether you had chickenpox before. Treatment may include an antiviral treatment when clinically appropriate; an antihistamine treatment may help itch after professional advice.

Seek urgent medical help for breathing difficulty, confusion, severe headache, repeated vomiting, a rapidly worsening rash, eye involvement, or marked weakness. Contact a clinician promptly for fever with new blisters, severe pain, or a rash during pregnancy or in someone with reduced immunity.

Ask whether the rash looks more like chickenpox, shingles or another condition; whether testing is useful; which medicines are suitable; and whether chickenpox vaccination is relevant to your situation.