08 Aug 2010
High-risk groups which include the elderly should take precautions against the virus
Since last year, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has removed chickenpox as a notifiable disease as it is considered to be largely a mild childhood illness.
Last week, however, an elderly couple died after developing complications from the disease. They had contracted chickenpox from their two infected grandchildren, one aged four years and the other four months. Both grandparents had contracted it previously when they were younger.
Dr Michael Wong, senior family physician from Raffles Medical Group, says: "The vast majority of patients recover. By far and large, chickenpox is actually a benign disease and recovery rate is excellent. But there are rare cases when complications can develop."
According to MOH data, from 2000 to last year, there were 12 deaths associated with chickenpox.
Doctors whom LifeStyle spoke to also say it is very rare for a person to get chickenpox twice, though it happens.
Dr Pushpalatha Lingegowda, associate consultant in the Department of Infectious Disease at Singapore General Hospital, explains: "It is very rare for chickenpox to occur more than once in a person. If this happens, it may be because the antibodies built up from the last time are not good enough to fight off the virus when it strikes again."
Vaccination against chickenpox has been available since 1996 but it is not part of the National Immunisation Programme. It costs from $65 to $90 and can be administered to everyone except children under one year old.
Infants whose mothers have had the disease before might receive some form of immunisation.
Dr Pushpalatha says: "The immune system of infants is weak. But if their mothers have had chickenpox before, antibodies developed from that could be passed onto the babies through the placenta, which could protect them for a while."
Apart from chickenpox, other usually harmless ailments that can turn dangerous or even fatal include influenza and hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD).
Complications include pneumonia, skin infection and brain infection. According to doctors, however, these cases are rare.
Those more prone to complications from these ailments are the elderly, infants under two years old and those with pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and heart and lung problems.
Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and patients taking steroid medication are also in the high-risk group.
Dr Vincent Chia, deputy medical director of Healthway Medical Group, says: "How your body fights a virus is highly related to your current medical condition and age. And age does greatly affect your body system."
Even apparently healthy elderly people should take precautions.
In May, Dr Chia's mother came down with Influenza A, a type of flu strain.
It later developed into pneumonia and multi-organ failure, and she was hospitalised at the intensive care unit.
She has since been discharged but her mobility has been affected.
Dr Chia says: "Before she got ill, she was considered to be relatively healthy for an 80-year-old. It just shows that even a flu must be taken seriously among those in the high-risk group."
Seasonal flu vaccinations are available for those aged six months and above, and cost between $25 and $40. There is no vaccination for HFMD.
Dr Chia adds: "Active immunisation is encouraged, even if you are currently feeling healthy."
"If this happens, it may be because the antibodies built up from the last time are not good enough to fight off the virus when it strikes again."
DR PUSHPALATHA LINGEGOWDA, associate consultant in the Department of Infectious Disease at Singapore General Hospital, on how one may contract chickenpox twice
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