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Shingles Overview
Shingles is only contagious is if you’ve never had chickenpox. In such case someone with shingles can pass the varicella-zoster virus to you, because you don’t have it in your body. The Transmission Methods. personal contact with open blisters passes the virus from one person to another.
Shingles cannot be passed from one person to another. But the virus that causes shingles like the varicella zoster virus can be spread from a person with active shingles to another person who has never had chickenpox. In some cases, the person exposed to the virus might develop chickenpox but will not develop.
Virus can spread through direct contact with fluid from the rash blisters caused by shingles.
A person can spread the virus when the rash is in the blister phase. A person is not infected before the blisters appear. But once the rash has developed crusts the person is no longer contagious.
The Shingles is less contagious than the chickenpox and the risk of a person with shingles spreading the virus is low if the rash is covered.
How long is shingles contagious?
Shingles is contagious and can be spread from an affected children, person to babies or adults who have not been chickenpox or have not had the chickenpox vaccine. And instead of developing shingles and these people develop chickenpox. Once they have chickenpox, a person cannot be catch virus (or contract the virus) from someone else. Once infected, people have the potential to develop virus later in life.
Transmission Methods
Close, personal contact with open blisters passes the shingles virus from one person to another. While the blisters are fresh or oozing you’re considered contagious to people who haven’t had chickenpox or who have a compromised immune system.
However, you can’t spread the virus after the blisters have broken open and formed crusty scabs.When someone who hasn’t had chickenpox touches the blister fluids, they possibly could get chickenpox, but not shingles.
Prevention
Keeping the shingles rash clean and covered can help prevent spreading the virus to others who are at risk. Wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap frequently and try not to touch the blisters.
Senior citizens may choose to get vaccinated against shingles. Vaccine reduces the risk of getting shingles and having the widespread nerve pain associated with it.
Ask your doctor about shingles vaccination.
Shingles Look Like
