Hello Mamaboys321,
This is a good question. Once a person has had chicken pox, the varicella virus never actually leaves the body. Instead, it becomes dormant because the immune system essentially fights it down until it hides away.
Shingles occurs when the virus subsequently reactivates. The virus hides in the nerve roots. When it reactivates, it follows the nerves and causes blisters to form in the distribution of that nerve.
Shingles tends to occur when the immune system is weakened for some reason. It is not a "reinfection" with the virus again. So, being exposed to chicken pox again would not be expected to be significantly affected by this.
There is likely to not be any significant danger from being re-exposed to the chicken pox virus. If, however, there were a reason for his immune system to be weakened there is a chance that he would develop
shingles.
I hope this helps.
Best wishes.
Advice and opinions given are based on the information provided and must not be used as an official medical recommendation. The limitations of the internet prevent an appropriate evaluation. Always consult your doctor if there is concern.
