· • Shingles itself is not contagious, but the varicella-zoster virus that causes it can be spread through direct contact with the fluid from active shingles blisters. · Shingles is not contagious, but the virus that causes it can be passed on to people who have never had chickenpox. Learn how shingles spreads, who is at risk, and how to avoid it.
Understanding the Context
Shingles is not directly contagious, but the virus that causes it can spread to people who have never had chickenpox or the vaccine. Learn how shingles is transmitted, how long it lasts, and when to see a doctor. · Covering the shingles rash can lower the risk of spreading the shingles virus to others. People with shingles cannot spread the virus before the blisters appear or after the rash scabs over.
Image Gallery
Key Insights
· Shingles is not contagious, but the virus that causes it can spread to people who have never had chickenpox or its vaccine. Learn how to prevent shingles and its complications, and when to seek medical attention. · If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with shingles, you may wonder, “Is shingles contagious?” While the illness itself is not contagious in the same way a cold or the flu is, the virus that causes shingles can be spread from person to person. · Shingles is a painful rash caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles is not contagious, but the virus can be spread to someone who has never had chickenpox, causing chickenpox, not shingles.
Important Details
· Shingles is not contagious, but the virus that causes it can be passed on to people who have never had chickenpox. Learn how shingles spreads, who is at risk, and how to avoid it. Shingles is not directly contagious, but the virus that causes it can spread to people who have never had chickenpox or the vaccine. Learn how shingles is transmitted, how long it lasts, and when to see a doctor.
Final Thoughts
· Covering the shingles rash can lower the risk of spreading the shingles virus to others. People with shingles cannot spread the virus before the blisters appear or after the rash scabs over. · If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with shingles, you may wonder, “Is shingles contagious?” While the illness itself is not contagious in the same way a cold or the flu is, the virus that causes shingles can be spread from person to person. · Shingles is a painful rash caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles is not contagious, but the virus can be spread to someone who has never had chickenpox, causing chickenpox, not shingles.
