Many people want to know is Shingles Contagious once they hear if a friend or family member is infected with the virus. The virus is also often referred to as Herpes Zoster, and it is a sickness that happens when the varicella-zoster virus in you basically acts up. This is the same virus that produces chickenpox, and for this reason, only people who previously have had chickenpox can get Shingles.

The truth is, varicella-zoster never fully leaves the body, even if you had chickenpox years ago. The main thing that would cause it to act up is a weakened immune system (often the product of aids or cancer) or high levels of anxiety, among others. It often results in extremely painful blisters, as well as fevers, headaches, and in very rare instances, organ failure and death. However, by far the most common side effects are painful rashes and blisters, and if you are infected with it, it is imperative that you get it looked at immediately.

Is Shingles Contagious – Yes

However, it is not contagious-at least, not directly. In other words, if someone comes in contact with an open blister of someone who has herpes zoster, they can contract varicella-zoster, and thus get chickenpox. However, Shingles is only produced by the varicella zoster already in you, and therefore you cannot get it from someone else. Therefore, if you have already had chickenpox, you really cannot get anything.

However, if you do get this virus, keep in mind that down the road, this can lead to shingles. Therefore, you cannot directly contract shingles from someone, but it can happen down the road as a result of the virus. Just make sure you avoid close contact with anyone with the disease, and you will be safe, since you have to actually touch them to get the virus. In other words, if you are wondering is Shingles contagious, the answer is yes, eventually.

Shingles is less contagious than chickenpox and the risk of a person with shingles spreading the virus is low if the rash is covered.

If you have Shingles then you need to…..

• Make sure to keep the rash covered and protected from being touched.
• Try not touch or scratch the rash no matter how much it itches.
• You need to wash your hands often to help stop the spread of the varicella zoster virus and prevent getting others infected.
•Until your rash has developed crusts, you need to avoid contact with
any pregnant women who have not had the chickenpox and varicella vaccine.

You try to stay away from……

• Premature or low birth weight infants; and
• Immunocompromised persons (such as persons receiving immunosuppressive medications or undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, and people with HIV infection).

You may be able to infect people with the chickenpox virus which will lower their immune system and can make their current situation worse. The answer to the question Is Shingles Contagious
is more that yes, Chickenpox is contagious, which is the virus that leads to Shingles in some people, so indirectly you can give someone the virus that may enventually lead to Shingles, but they will not get Shingles Symptoms until they have at least had the Chicken Pox onetime.