Is Shingles Contagious

Shingles is a painful virus that causes rashes and blisters on the skin which can become very irritating and itchy. Caused by the same virus that gives you the chicken pox, Varicella Zoster, shingles generally occurs in about a quarter of the adult population and can take up to months to get rid of. Those at risk of getting shingles are all of those who went through the process of having the chickenpox earlier on in life.

Because the Varicella Zoster from chickenpox remains in the body after the onset of chickenpox, it can not so much be transferred between different bodies. It simply comes about in those who are experiencing old age, stress on the body or a weak immune system. It is already present in nearly every body, and so there is no need for it to be transferred. Being around someone experiencing the shingles also will not bring out a case of shingles on yourself.

With all that said, shingles can be contagious to those who have not had a case of chickenpox yet. For example, a mother with shingles could be contagious to her newborn baby and give the baby chickenpox. Therefore, if you are in this situation, you should try to cover up and avoid as much contact as possible to those who have not had the chickenpox.

The shingles is contagious to those who haven’t had chickenpox yet right up until the point when new blisters stop being formed on your skin and old blisters get a crust. At this point shingles is not contagious to anyone.