is it possible to get 2 strains of chicken pox?

[newmum35]

I know someone with a pretty strong case of chicken pox. (pox in mouth too) They have exposed their kid twice, a few days apart.

Is it possible their kid came down with a bad case of it because they were exposed to 2 different strains at the same time and are fighting 2 at once?

(how many dif. strains of CP are there floating out there and how much does it matter in terms of immunity or even the symptoms you get?)

I was thinking of exposing ds to it, but when I found out they had exposed twice to 2 different kids (2nd kid had atypical symptoms that appeared similar to measles rash) I changed my mind thinking this may not necessarily be desirable. Esp. since their kid did end with it but is feeling worse than the typical case.

anyone know anything?

[OdinsMommy0409]

I don't know if multiple strains exist, but I certainly know that people can react with a full range in severity from very mild to very severe to the same exposure.

My brothers both acquired CP at the same time. One brother had severe pox with pox everywhere including mouth, nose, and eyes, while my other brother had a moderate case affecting only his skin.

Personally, I had confirmed CP twice. Both cases were extremely mild with only 7 pox the first time and a dozen the second. My first exposure was to a severe case of one of my friends while my second case was to a friend with a moderate case. Our pedi encouraged exposure again due to my first mild case.

[lonegirl]

I agree with the above about different levels of severity. As kids my bro had it (I was around 12) and I never got it until I was 17 from boyfriend (now hubby). I felt ok but had it in my mouth and throat (most horrid taste I ever encountered), but only a few spots elsewhere. Hubby was sick for 3weeks with it.
I also have a friend who has had it 3 times (her titres were tested and were still low).

[amnesiac]

Moving to H&H since this is about an illness rather than a vaccine.

[barefootmama0709]

I don't know if two strains could be present in the body at the same time. I also got chicken pox twice as a kid-one fairly mild case (spots mostly over the lymph glands in my armpits) and one more severe (spots on the entire body, but not in my throat or anywhere else internally).

[MrsAngelic]

When we were kids my brother got it first very mildly. Then I got it from him and had an average case. Then he caught it A SECOND TIME from me and had an average case. I'm wondering if that is what will happen with my two year old. He was ill last weekend, dry cough and such as can happen with pox, and I noticed mayhe 5 small spots that looked like they could have been pox that oozed and scabbed already. Then yesterday my four year old DD started a regular case.