Chicken Pox in the Pre-Vaccine Era: A Parent's Journey

Before the widespread availability of chicken pox vaccines, parents often relied on traditional methods such as 'chicken pox parties' to ensure their children got the disease during their childhood, when it was believed to be less severe than in adulthood. This practice was common in many families, with my grandparents, my parents, and even my own children experiencing chicken pox in their childhood.

One of the shared experiences my children and I had without the benefit of vaccines was contracting chicken pox during my son's summer camp. My son caught the virus there, and soon after, his younger sister was also infected. My daughter's condition was particularly severe, with chicken pox spreading all over her body, including her throat and ears, making her miserable. Despite this, chicken pox was a common childhood illness back then, and parents focused primarily on when kids would contract it, such as interfering with school or family vacations.

The course of chicken pox typically lasted for about a week. Once the pox faded, children could return to their normal routines. I wish there had been a vaccine for my children, especially since I too had chicken pox as a child and now face the risk of developing shingles. I am planning to get my first shingles vaccine next week to mitigate this risk.

Another parallel can be drawn between the pre-vaccine era of chicken pox and the current situation with the Omicron variant. Just as chicken pox was a common and inevitable childhood illness, many parents had to deal with it without the reassurance of a vaccine. Now, with the Omicron variant, everyone is getting infected, which builds immunity and a natural antiviral response system, similar to the immunity gained from chicken pox.

The night when my daughter had chicken pox was a vivid memory. I spent most of the night applying calamine lotion to her itchy body, trying to relieve her discomfort. Despite her anger and frustration, exhaustion eventually overcame her and she fell asleep. I was also consoling and soothing her, occasionally taking short naps in the bed next to her. Despite my self-sacrifice, my daughter and I are now best friends, and when my daughter says 'where's mum,' it brings a smile to both of our faces.

Looking back, I believe that if vaccines were available, I would have ensured my children received them. Chicken pox is not usually fatal, but it can be uncomfortable and may leave scars, though they are mostly not noticeable in most cases. The cycle of chicken pox and its potential long-term effects on health underscores the importance of vaccination in protecting our children against preventable diseases.