Varicella (Chickenpox): Why Vaccination May Be Worth It

Most of us think of chickenpox as a childhood rite of passage — itchy, annoying, and forgotten in a few weeks. But for some people, varicella (its medical name) can be serious, especially if caught in adulthood or while travelling. Here’s what you need to know.

🦠 What Is Varicella?

Varicella is a highly contagious viral illness caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV). It usually causes chickenpox, but in later life, the same virus can reactivate and cause shingles.

💡 Did you know? After a bout of chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in your nervous system. Around 1 in 5 people will experience reactivation later in life, usually over the age of 50, in the form of shingles.

🌍 Why Is Chickenpox a Concern for Travellers?

While chickenpox is common in the UK, it's not always the case in other countries. Some parts of the world — especially in tropical regions — see more adult infections, which can be much more severe than in children.

You're particularly at risk if:

• You’ve never had chickenpox or the vaccine

• You're pregnant or immunocompromised

• You’re travelling to places with limited healthcare access

• You’re a healthcare or lab worker abroad

• You’re in close contact with vulnerable individuals (e.g., cancer patients or transplant recipients)

👩‍⚕️ How Is Varicella Spread?

Varicella spreads through:

• Droplets in the air (coughs and sneezes)

• Contact with the rash or fluid from blisters

• Exposure to someone with shingles, which can also transmit the chickenpox virus

😷 The infection rate within households is as high as 90%, meaning it spreads extremely easily.

🤒 What Are the Symptoms of Chickenpox?

Symptoms usually appear 10–21 days after exposure and include:

• Low-grade fever

• Fatigue and general malaise

• Red, itchy spots that turn into fluid-filled blisters

• Rash starting on the face/scalp, then spreading to the torso and limbs

• New blisters appearing in “crops” over several days

In most healthy children, symptoms are mild. But complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis (brain inflammation), and bacterial skin infections are more common in adults and immunocompromised individuals.

⚠️ What About Shingles?

Shingles is a painful, blistering rash that appears when dormant VZV reactivates. It’s more common in:

• Adults aged over 50

• People with weakened immune systems

Although you can’t “catch” shingles, a person with shingles can spread varicella to someone who’s never had chickenpox or been vaccinated.

💉 Can You Get the Chickenpox Vaccine?

Yes — in fact, two vaccines are available in the UK:

📌 Note: Both vaccines are live and not routinely given as part of the UK childhood schedule unless you're in a high-risk group.

👨‍⚕️ Who Should Consider Vaccination?

The varicella vaccine is strongly recommended for:

• Travellers without a history of chickenpox

• Healthcare workers or lab staff

• People in close contact with immunocompromised individuals

• Women planning pregnancy who’ve never had chickenpox

• Anyone at increased risk of complications

See the NHS Green Book for full guidance: Chapter 34 – Varicella

🧳 Planning Travel? Check Your Immunity

At Ready Health Clinic, we offer varicella immunisation for adults and children who are:

• Travelling to high-risk areas

• Working in health or social care settings

• At increased risk of serious complications

🗓️ Book a travel health consultation to check your vaccine history and discuss if varicella immunisation is right for you.

📍 Serving Wigan, Standish, Chorley, Horwich, and Bolton.

📞 Call us on 01257 676001 or book online.