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May 22, 2008, 2:57 pm
Flag as Inappropriate anniefromcalif  

I remember having, and confirmed by mom, chickenpox at the age of 7. However, I also had at the same time a case of the mumps. My twin sister and I suffered for weeks.

Imagine my surprise when I came down with a case of chickenpox at the age of 30-which darn near killed me. Thank god I recovered, however, for the last 22years something has happened to my immune system. With the exception of a case of bronchitis a month or two ago requiring medication, I have not had a cold or flu bug since then. Infact, I am the only one that doesn't get sick. Believe me, I am not complaining, just curious if anyone knew or understands what gave me the boost in fighting off bugs. Of course, I also think that this recent stint with bronchitis just might be the end of my good luck. Who knows.

Well it has long been theorised that certain naturally occurring illnesses can jump start the immune system-remind it how it is supposed to be working. Vaccines work differently-they trigger the wrong side of the immune system, the one responsible for allergies rather than that which normally fights disease.

I had a friend that the same thing happened when she was about 35 or so and she had the same issues. Hers landed her in the hospital for about a week since she was pregnant at the same time.

My mom got the chicken pox from my girls - she was 40ish. How she escaped getting it when my sister and I had it is beyond me. Poor thing was itching so bad but the spots stayed under the skin. Drove her nuts.

I had chicken pox in my late teens, and it was awful. I was terribly, terribly ill. I'm older, so I had measles and mumps, and all that good stuff as a child, but somehow missed the chicken pox.

I will say that I have been more sick this year then I have in 30 years. I don't know why, it's just been a very bad year!

I doubt that your horrible bout with adult chickenpox brought on your good health. Sometimes you just don't get sick on luck and that you washed your hands enough to keep you from catching things that are going around.

My sister is going through chemotherapy and we were warned to do our best to keep her from catching anything because she can't fight off infections well now. As it has turned out, I've been the one to get all the colds and flu going around and she only had a sore throat once that we were afraid would really do her harm, and she managed to throw off that cold in two days while I had it clinging to me for three weeks!

You've been lucky my friend. Keep washing your hands -- that will keep colds and flu away!

We do all other vaccines, but we don't do chicken pox, and that's the reason why... it's so mild for young kids, but so dangerous for adults.

That said, I think you just had a string of luck, and I'm jealous! My kids supply me with every cold and flu known to man. :(