Could my siblings and I be immune to chickenpox?

[Rachel]

My brother (11) sister (14) and I (18) have never gotten chickenpox or the vaccine before. Could this just be luck or could we be immune to it? And how many people are immune to chickenpox without having it before? I know they say 90-99% of adults are immune because they had it as children, what about those who did not?The reason I ask is because my grandma was just diagnosed with shingles and I wanted to visit her. For safety's sake I'm not going to know, but it got me wondering.Oops, meant *now*

 

[Dom]

People try to give their kids chickenpox when they are younger, by sending their kids to play with other kids who have chickenpox. Because, chickenpox as an adult can be fatal. You are probably not immune to it, your parents just didn't make sure you got it.

 

[Alinda M]

You might be infected with it sooner or later in life but chickenpox is not as fatal as measles, its can be rather serious for those who were not immunised against it.

 

[Glorioso]

If you have never had it, you cannot be sure you're immune. Even if you have had it, extremely mild cases don't always confer full immunity. If you *know* you've been exposed to chicken pox multiple times, and none of you have gotten it, then you're probably immune, but just hitting 18 without having it doesn't mean much. It's entirely possible you've just avoided exposure so far though: most schools, etc, are really serious about avoiding spreading it, and as you get older, your chance of running into someone who's not immune (unless you work with kids) goes down. You could have missed it. I'd suggest you get vaxed to be sure, since you're at an age now where it's not just a childhood nuisance.

 

[angelfire_leadtech]

you could be immune , there is always possibilities but hardily doubt it especially since granny got it some people just get it latter in life. there are books on the subject in the library or you can go to yahoo search. you may need the knowledge later on , people who get it late can have a rough time.