My mother caught it in 2013 and I caught it in 2014 on a transatlantic flight. My son also caught Varicella despite having been vaccinated. It was a strong and unusual strain and apparently you can't immunize against all of them, just the ones local to you.

gotta say, it was pretty horrible.

colleague

I had it when I was 12. They hurt like hell on fire.

OP, maybe it's because it's more common in older people. That being said, I had it as a teen, and know of several people who have had it.

Anonymous wrote:Me, my sister, and my two sister-in-laws. We all had it the same Spring.

I wrote this, and I forgot to mention that we don't live anywhere near each other. Very odd.

Me, my sister, and my two sister-in-laws. We all had it the same Spring.

DH's grandmother (she ended up addicted to pain meds) and my father had them. My dad got them while we were on our annual family beach vacation and it wasn't a big deal. They were a little painful to touch but it didn't stop him from going to the beach and everything.

I had a small outbreak on my shoulder when I was 25 and it was REALLY uncomfortable. My bra strap went right over the rash which made it even worse. My sister who is a doctor thought it was probably shingles from the beginning and wanted me to start the meds right away. I didn't think I could possibly have shingles and didn't take her advice. I wish I had. The rash lasted a good 3 weeks, but when it finally went away I didn't have any lingering pain.

My mom had it in her 40s. Super painful, and she had a few in her throat, so eating was horrible.

My mom had it when I was a teenager. Super-painful.