Shingles Contagious
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Shingles Contagious - Yes Or No?
Are shingles contagious? Yes and no. What is meant by that? You must read on to fully understand.
Shingles are caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, Herpes zoster. After an individual has chicken pox, this virus lives near the nerves and is never fully cleared from the body. Certain circumstances, such as emotional stress, immune deficiency (such as from AIDs or chemotherapy), anyone taking immunosuppressive drugs, or with cancer, can reactivate the virus causing shingles. In most cases however, the cause for the reactivation of the virus is never found.
Shingles are contagious in certain circumstances. Shingles can be spread from the infected person to children or adults who have never had chickenpox. But, instead of developing shingles, the people who have not had chickenpox will develop chickenpox. Once these people have had chickenpox, they too have the potential to contract shingles later on in their lifetime.
Shingles are contagious when there are new blisters forming and old blisters healing. Once all the blisters have crusted over, the virus can no longer be spread.
Once a person has had chickenpox, they are no longer susceptible to another person who has shingles, in other words, they cannot catch the virus from someone else who is broken out with shingles blisters, whether they are crusted over or not.
Herpes Zoster affects some one million people a year, and usually appears after the age of 50, but can break out in adults of all ages. The virus remains dormant in nerve root cells, but may become active at anytime. Any person who has had chickenpox in childhood is at risk for shingles.
Some of the symptoms of shingles are blisters, painful rashes, and a feeling of burning pain. Skin can become very sensitive and painful to the touch. Topical products containing Emu Oil help ease the pain and itching as well as aiding in drying up the blisters.
Shingles Contagious - Shingles Symptoms
Here are the symptoms of the Shingles disease. Notice that most of these symptoms are the same as for the flu:
- Fever for about four to five days with persistent headache.
- Physical fatigue, or a sudden decline in energy level.
- Problems with the digestive system, the stomach in particular.
- Sudden chills.
- Itching on the area of the body where the rash will soon develop.
- Development of small painful blisters on the person's skin (skin rash) lined up like a belt/band starting from spine to chest is the most distinctive symptom that helps the doctor in developing the diagnosis.
If you don't seek medical help for your Shingles, it will pass through the early stage to a more advanced stage. People suffering from Shingles develop a painful disease called chronic neuralgia over this period as time passes by. In order to avoid this problem, you should be watchful and seek out a physician's help once you think you might have Shingles disease or if you have had Shingles and you are experiencing pain in tissues even after getting rid of the blisters/rash caused by the Shingles disease. This pain can be severe enough to make a person cry, it is called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). If not treated properly, Shingles can lead to the following more severe conditions, although this is rare:
- The patient might loose eyesight
- Pneumonia
- Malfunctioning of some organs
- Since Shingles is linked to the nervous system, the patient may develop encephalitis (inflammation of the brain)
- Sometimes this disease can be so severe, it can lead to death
As you can see, Shingles is not something to ignore and hope it will go away. You must seek medical treatment if you think you have Shingles.
Shingles In The News
- 2 doses of chickenpox vaccine needed - Dubuque Telegraph Herald
2 doses of chickenpox vaccine needed Dubuque Telegraph Herald Answer: A different vaccine, Zostavax, protects against shingles, a painful rash that results from the reactivation of the same virus that causes chickenpox ... - 7 days ago
- About shingles - AsiaOne
AsiaOne About shingles AsiaOne What is the difference between chickenpox and shingles? How can I tell one from the other? It's quite easy. The rash of chickenpox appears all over the body ... Got an itch? Toronto Sun Do you know how to treat shingles? Houma Courier all 23 news articles » - 3 weeks ago
- Chicken Pox Shot Protects Against Shingles, Too (HealthDay via Yahoo! News)
FRIDAY, Dec. 4 (HealthDay News) -- Children who are vaccinated against chicken pox may also have increased protection against shingles, new findings suggest. - 7 days ago
- Chicken Pox Shot Protects Against Shingles, Too (MedicineNet.com)
Title: Chicken Pox Shot Protects Against Shingles, Too Category: Health News Created: 12/4/2009 8:10:00 AM Last Editorial Review: 12/4/2009 - 7 days ago
- Chicken Pox Shot Protects Against Shingles, Too - U.S. News & World Report
Press TV Chicken Pox Shot Protects Against Shingles, Too U.S. News & World Report 4 (HealthDay News) -- Children who are vaccinated against chicken pox may also have increased protection against shingles, new findings suggest. ... Kaiser Permanente: Chicken pox vaccine may also reduce risk of shingles among ... Drug Store News (blog) Chicken Pox Vaccine May Also Reduce Risk of Shingles Among Children PR Newswire (press release) all 58 news articles » - 7 days ago
- Chicken Pox Vaccine May Also Reduce Risk Of Shingles Among Children (Medical News Today)
Herpes zoster, also known as shingles, is very rare among children who have been vaccinated against chicken pox, according to a Kaiser Permanente study in the December issue of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Journal. The study, the largest of its kind, used electronic health records to identify more than 170,000 children vaccinated with the varicella (chicken pox) vaccine from 2002 to 2008 in ... - 6 days ago
- Chicken Pox Vaccine Reduces Shingles Risk In Kids -- Study Of 172,000 Kids Used EHRs (redOrbit)
Chicken pox vaccine may also reduce risk of shingles among children; study used electronic health records to follow 172,000 childrenHerpes zoster, also known as shingles, is very rare among children who have been vaccinated against chicken pox, according to a Kaiser Permanente study in the December issue of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Journal.The study, the largest of its kind, used ... - 7 days ago
- Chicken pox vaccine cuts risk of shingles (Press TV)
Vaccinating children against chicken pox may protect them against developing shingles in the long run, a new study finds. - 6 days ago
November 2007 - Interview With Doctor On Shingles
Shingles
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Comments
Great article. I will share it with my friends on a STD dating site: stdpal.com.
Can Ibe around a friend who is nursing her baby if she is not near the infected area? (around the back of my neck)
Debra, I would not risk infecting the baby who has obviously not had the chickenpox yet. I know that being around a new baby is a wonderful thing and it is a big disappointment to not be able to share in the joy of the baby, but while you are broken out with shingles, it is best to avoid contact with a baby. So sorry. Julie
i am 6 months pregnant and had chicken pocks and my partners father has just found out he has shingles but my partner has nt had chicken pocks is there any chance my unborn baby is at risk at all im concerned
Jessica, I do not believe your unborn baby is at risk. It does sound like your partner, who has not had chicken pox yet, is at risk oc contacting chicken pox from his father. Since you have already had chicken pox you are not susceptible to your partner's fathers shingles.
Once your baby is born however, it is another matter, and you must keep your partner's father separated from the new baby if he has shingles breakouts. It is best to avoid contact with a baby when you have shingles breakouts.
Julie
I am a mother of two. My 2 year old has had chickenpox but my newborn not. My baby is 4weeks old and I am breastfeeding her. I just found out that I have shingles (rash behind my ear), is my baby at risk of getting chinckenpox? I don't want to stop the breastfeeding...?
Dear Worried, You describe a complicated situation. I suggest that you talk to your doctor or health care professional about the details of your case. For your peace of mind and your babies health I am sure you will want to do this as soon as possible. Julie
i have had shingles and chicken pox can i be a carrier i have a lady at work who has a very bad case of shingles and my husband has no had chicken pox.
ive got a 3 year old boy n my boyfriend as got shingles is it posssible dat my baby could catch it he hasnt had chicken pox ether yet
If you have sex with someone who have shingles would you be effected?
My mother has shingles. The out break occured 11days ago and was immediately put on a stariod and anti viral medication. I have two small children that haven't had chicken pocks but are current on there shots, should she stay away from the children?
Hi
Ive had Shingles for about 4 weeks now ,I was late in going to the doctor so have not had treatent,im concerned as the blister continue to weep, ive had antibiotics for about 2 weeks but it the blisteres wont dry up,i ve got it on my face and scalp,i wash my hair everyday ,please tell me what more do i need to do,im desperate.Thankyou
Hi
Ive had Shingles for about 4 weeks now ,I was late in going to the doctor so have not had treatent,im concerned as the blisters continue to weep, ive had antibiotics for about 2 weeks but it the blisteres wont dry up,i ve got it on my face and scalp,i wash my hair everyday ,please tell me what more do i need to do,im desperate.Thankyou
Hello arl14, If you feel that you are not healing as you should following your prescribed treatment then you should go back for another visit to your doctor or health professional.
Emu Oil is touted as being able to help with the pain and recovery time of shingles, but Emu Oil is not FDA approved and I can not claim that Emu Oil either heals or cures shingles. I only suggest that it might be natural way to get some relief from your shingles.
It is most important that you re-visit the doctor if you feel that your healing is not on track.
Best wishes to you.
Julie
I just found out I have shingles. I only have two little red bumps but they are very painful. I have been prescribed valtrex for 7 days and ths is my second day on it. I went immediately to an emergency room, when I felt a hardened suface under my arm, which was giving me pain on my side. Iam being treated but I just want to be sure my 4- year old and my 10 year old whom have never had chicken pox can contract shingles from me.
I found out I have Shingles, I am on the medicine. I understand that being in contact with others that never had chicken pox I am putting them at risk, I work with the public and cannot take off , my shingle is in one area and I wear 3 layer of clothing and wash my hands all the time, Can I still give it to them? The doctor told me I am not contagious unless they touch the blemishes, but according to what I am reading I am not sure that's right? I don't want to loose my job.
Hello Shingles lady,
It sounds to me as if you are being conscientious about protecting others from contacting shingles from you. You cannot give anyone else the shingles, only the chicken pox, and that only to those that have never had chicken pox before. You will only pass along the virus if someone comes into contact with your blemishes. It sounds as if you are tallking precautions at work to make sure that doesn't happen. You should not have to worry about losing your job because you have the shingles. You should be fine as long as you continue to be careful aboutnot letting others contact your blemishes.
Best wishes to you,
Julie
Julie,
Thank you for getting the word out about the danger to kids being exposed to someone with shingles if they haven't had chicken pox. This is important and can get overlooked. Also the videos are much appreciated.
Deb
ive got shingles now ive had it twice and i am 14 years old u say u was 30 well im younger so imagene how i feel im in a lot of pain and feeling ill i have flu and a fever x
Are shingles contagious if you are pregnant?
i have a very lite case of shingles, taking prescription i only have a spot at hair line and on my eyebrow am i contagious and can i ge the shingle shot after i am healed, all itching has disappeared after taking rx going on second day but i know i will have to finish rx to make sure completely healed
I have shingle on my forehead and through my scalp. My hair needs washing but can i use ordinary shampoo or is there something more specific I can use? it is not too painful, I think I contacted my Dr within two days of it developing and he has prescribed anti virals.
I have shingles and am taking valtrex. My son is 3.5 years old and has never had chicken pox but has had the vaccine against the pox. Is he at risk?
Steve
Can my new born baby get the shingles from me i got them wehn i delivered her on 9 11
Can my New Born get the shingles from me i got them when i delivered her on 9/11 2009 they say it was due to the stress of delivery ? plz someone tell me im scared im going to give them to her ....
Hello Wanda, Yes, you could give your baby chickenpox if you are not careful. The Herpes (Varicela) Virus causes Chickenpox. It is highly contagious, and if Baby gets any germs on his hands and puts them in his mouth or in his eyes, it can be very dangerous. The baby can be blinded, and have blisters in his mouth. This is why the government is giving chickenpox vaccines to babies, now.
I suggest that you go to your health care professional and tell them your situation and ask for your baby to be vaccinated against the chickenpox as soon as possible.
My best to you, and good luck.
Julie
I had it at 48, so did my daughter at age 24. No fun.
Bug Mee says:
2 years ago
Great info on the shingles.