How Long Are You Contagious With Shingles

Mode Of Transmission Of Varicella Zoster Virus

Chickenpox transmission is mainly person-to-person by airborne respiratory droplets, but also occurs by direct contact with vesicle fluid of chickenpox cases or contact with the vesicle fluid of patients with herpes zoster. Immunosuppressed cases with disseminated herpes zoster may also transmit via respiratory droplets. Indirect contact occurs through articles freshly soiled by discharges from vesicles of infected persons. Scabs are not infective.

Who Should Not Be Vaccinated With Shingrix

You shouldnt receive the Shingrix vaccine if you:

• Have ever had a severe allergy to this vaccine or any ingredient in this vaccine.
• Are breastfeeding or pregnant.
• Currently have shingles.
• Are ill and have a high fever.
• Have tested negative for immunity to varicella-zoster virus .

Ask your healthcare provider if the benefits of getting the vaccine outweigh any potential risks.

Recommendations For Healthcare Institutions To Prevent Varicella And Nosocomial Spread

• have documented evidence of immunity for all healthcare personnel readily available at the healthcare personnels work location
• alert healthcare personnel without evidence of immunity to varicella about the risks of possible infection and offer those without evidence of immunity 2 doses of varicella vaccine, administered 4 to 8 weeks apart, when they begin employment
• establish protocols and recommendations for screening and vaccinating healthcare personnel and for managing healthcare personnel after exposures in the work place

You May Like: How To Cover Shingles On Face

How Long Is Shingles Contagious

The varicella-zoster virus that causes shingles can spread to others causing chickenpox in patients who have not had it in the past. It is not possible to get shingles from another person with shingles, but it is possible to get chickenpox.

Shingles are contagious from the time the blisters are oozing until the time the blisters have scabbed.

To reduce the risk of spreading the virus, the patient is advised to keep the affected area clean and avoid touching the blisters. Patients should wash their hands often. Patients with shingles should also avoid being around high-risk individuals and those who have not had chickenpox or who are not vaccinated against the varicella-zoster virus.

Management Of Exposed Health Care Workers

To prevent transmission of varicella in health care facilities, all health care workers should have evidence of immunity to varicella. This information should be documented and readily available. See Ensuring Immunity to Varicella in Health Care Workers for more information. Health care workers exposed to zoster:

• With adequate evidence of immunity to varicella:
• Should be monitored daily for symptoms of varicella from days 8-21 after exposure.

Don’t Miss: How Many Shingles Vaccines Do I Need

Is The Zostavax Vaccine Still Being Used

Yes. The CDC, however, recommends Zostavax for adults age 60 and older, but not routinely for people aged 50 to 59. Zostavax is given as a single-dose shot versus the two-dose shot for Shingrix. Zostavax is less effective than Shingrix in preventing shingles and postherpetic neuralgia .

You can consider Zostavax if you are allergic to Shingrix or if Shingrix is unavailable because of supply shortage and you want some immediate protection from a possible case of shingles and/or postherpetic neuralgia. Because its a weakened live vaccine, it may be dangerous if you have cancer, HIV, or take steroids, chemotherapy or other medications that suppress your immune system. Ask your healthcare provider if the Zostavax vaccine is an option for you.

How Can I Take Care Of Myself

• Take a pain-relief medicine such as acetaminophen. Take other medicine as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
• Put cool, moist washcloths on the rash.
• Rest in bed during the early stages if you have fever and other symptoms.
• Try not to let clothing or bed linens rub against the rash and irritate it.
• You develop worsening pain or fever.
• You develop a severe headache, stiff neck, hearing loss, or changes in your ability to think.
• The blisters show signs of bacterial infection, such as increasing pain or redness, or milky yellow drainage from the blister sites.
• The blisters are close to the eyes or you have pain in your eyes or trouble seeing.
• You have trouble walking.

Also Check: Does Medicare Part B Cover Shingles Shots

Preventing The Virus Spreading

If you have the shingles rash, do not share towels or flannels, go swimming, or play contact sports. This will help prevent the virus being passed on to someone who has not had chickenpox.

You should also avoid work or school if your rash is weeping and cannot be covered.

Chickenpox can be particularly dangerous for certain groups of people. If you have shingles, avoid:

• women who are pregnant and have not had chickenpox before as they could catch it from you, which may harm their unborn baby
• people who have a weak immune system, such as someone with HIV or AIDS
• babies less than one month old, unless it is your own baby, in which case your baby should have antibodies to protect them from the virus

Once your blisters have dried and scabbed over, you are no longer contagious and will not need to avoid anyone.

How You Catch The Varicella

Shingles is not contagious. You cant catch shingles from someone. However, a person with shingles can pass along VZV to people who have never contracted chickenpox.

VZV can be transmitted from a person with shingles to someone who has never had chickenpox via direct contact with fluid from shingles rash or blisters. Its not possible to pass along VZV before shingles blisters appear or after lesions crust over.

However, shingles is a lot less contagious than chickenpox. By covering up your rash, you can prevent the spread of the virus.

Shingles usually happens many years after an initial chickenpox infection. The first signs of a reactivation of the virus are malaise, fever, a localized tingling or burning sensation, and pain. Within a few days a one-sided rash forms on the face or body. It can takes up to 10 days for the rash and blisters to crust over. It will clear up entirely several weeks later.

Read Also: Can You Get Shingles If You Had The Vaccine

Is There A Way I Can Keep From Being Infected With Chickenpox

Yes, make sure all your vaccines are up to date, especially if you are planning a pregnancy. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and those you love. If you are not immune, you should be vaccinated. You will receive two doses of varicella vaccine one month apart. You should avoid becoming pregnant for at least one month after the last vaccination. Varicella vaccine should not be given to pregnant women. If you are pregnant, have your healthcare provider give you the varicella vaccine after your baby is delivered.

Public Health Significance And Occurrence Of Chickenpox Or Shingles

Chickenpox is a highly contagious but generally mild disease and is endemic in the population. It becomes epidemic among susceptible individuals mainly during winter and early spring. More than 90 per cent of cases are children under 15 years of age.

Herpes zoster occurs in 20 per cent of people, mostly when they are elderly due to the reactivation of latent virus from the dorsal root ganglia.

Don’t Miss: New Shingles Shot Vs Old One

Should Someone With Shingles Stay Home From Work Or School

In general, as long as the lesion can be covered, a person with shingles does not need to stay home from work or school.

Health care workers and others working with high-risk individuals should remain home from work until the blisters have scabbed over.

Anyone who cannot keep their blisters covered should stay home from work or school until all blisters have scabbed over.

What Should I Do About An Exposure To Varicella

If you have been in contact with someone with chickenpox or shingles, or if you have a rash-associated illness that might be chickenpox or shingles, discuss your situation with your healthcare provider. Blood tests may be done to see if you have become infected with the virus or have had the disease in the past. If you are pregnant and not immune and have been exposed to chickenpox or shingles, call your healthcare provider immediately. Your provider may choose to treat you with a medication called varicella-zoster immune globulin , but in order for this medication to be most helpful, it needs to be given as soon as possible after your exposure to varicella.

Also Check: Owens Corning Vs Gaf Shingles

Healthcare Personnel Who Have 1 Or More Documented Dose Of Varicella Vaccine Or Other Evidence Of Immunity To Varicella:

• Do not need postexposure prophylaxis
• Do not need work restrictions
• Should ensure they are up to date with 2 documented doses of varicella vaccine.
• If they have only 1 documented dose of varicella vaccine, they should receive the second dose within 3 to 5 days after exposure, as long as 4 weeks have elapsed since the first dose.
• Should self-monitor, or have the employee health program or an infection control nurse monitor, during days 8 to 21 after exposure and immediately report any fever, headache, skin lesions, or systemic symptoms.
• If symptoms occur, immediately remove healthcare personnel from patient care, place them on sick leave, and provide them with antiviral medication if symptoms occur

What Are The Symptoms Of Shingles

Early symptoms of shingles may include:

Other signs and symptoms that appear a few days after the early symptoms include:

• An itching, tingling or burning feeling in an area of your skin.
• Redness on your skin in the affected area.
• Raised rash in a small area of your skin.
• Fluid-filled blisters that break open then scab over.
• Mild to severe pain in the area of skin affected.

Recommended Reading: Natural Pain Relief For Shingles

Exposed Individuals Without Evidence Of Immunity Should Be Offered Post

• Healthy individuals age 12 months and older should be given varicella vaccine within 5 days of exposure.
• The following individuals should receive VariZIG within 10 days of exposure:
• Immunocompromised individuals.
• Pregnant woman.
• Hospitalized preterm infants whose mother lacks evidence of immunity against varicella.
• Hospitalized preterm infants less than 28 weeks of gestation or birthweight of 1000g or less, regardless of maternal immunity.
• It is not indicated for newborn infants whose mother had onset of zoster around delivery to receive VariZIG. This differs from the varicella recommendations.

How Is Shingles Transmitted

The virus can only be transmitted in two ways. The first method is through direct contact with the open sores of the shingles rash .

The second method is through contact with the fluid from the shingles sores. Avoid contact with anything that might have touched the fluid from the shingles sores. For example, make sure you dont share any towels or clothes with someone who has shingles.

All that being said, according to the CDC, shingles is less contagious than the chickenpox, meaning its more difficult to spread.

Recommended Reading: Does Aetna Cover Shingles Vaccine

Why Doesnt Having Chickenpox Earlier In Life Provide Immunity Against Having Shingles Later

After having chickenpox, your body doesnt rid your system of the virus. Instead, the virus stays in a portion of the spinal nerve root called the dorsal root ganglion. In most people, the virus simply stays there quietly and doesnt cause problems. Scientists arent always sure why the virus gets active again, but they know stress can be a cause.

What Should You Expect If You Get Shingles

Shingles can be a very painful condition. If you think you have the symptoms of shingles, see your healthcare provider right away. Starting antiviral medications early can ease your discomfort and end symptoms earlier.

A better approach to shingles is to take action and do what you can to lessen your risk of getting it. If you’ve never had shingles in the past, talk to your healthcare provider about getting the shingles vaccine. If youve never had chickenpox, talk with your healthcare provider about getting the chickenpox vaccine.

You May Like: Does Medicare Cover Shingles Vaccine In Doctor’s Office

Who Is At Risk For Getting Shingles

People who have had chickenpox who are more likely to develop shingles include those:

• With a weakened immune system .
• Over the age of 50.
• Who have been ill.
• Who have experienced trauma.
• Who are under stress.

The chickenpox virus doesnt leave your body after you have chickenpox. Instead, the virus stays in a portion of your spinal nerve root called the dorsal root ganglion. For the majority of people, the virus stays there quietly and doesn’t cause problems. Researchers aren’t always sure why the virus gets reactivated, but this typically occurs at times of stress.

What Are Risk Factors For Shingles

A weakened immune system might wake up the virus. After youâve had chickenpox, youâre more likely to get shingles if you:

• Are 50 or older
• Are under a lot of stress
• Have cancer, HIV, or another disease that lowers your bodyâs defenses
• Have had a serious physical injury
• Take long-term steroids or other medicines that can weaken your immune system

But many people who get shingles donât fit into any of these categories.

Read Also: How Do You Get Shingles Rash

Is There A Treatment For Shingles

Several antiviral medicines, acyclovir , valacyclovir , and famciclovir , are available to treat shingles. These medications should be started as soon as possible after the rash appears and will help shorten the illness and decrease how severe the illness is. Pain medicine may also help with pain caused by shingles. Call your provider as soon as possible to discuss treatment options.

When You Should See Your Doctor

Go to your doctor as soon as you see the rash, as treatment is most effective if its started early.

Your doctor may prescribe antiviral medicine, which may help you recover faster and will reduce the chance that the pain will last for a long time.

Your doctor may also give you medicine for pain relief.

See your doctor again if:

• you get any blisters on your face
• your fever or pain gets worse
• your neck gets stiff, you cant hear properly or you feel less able to think clearly
• you develop new symptoms such as drooping or weakness to one side of your face
• the blisters show signs of infection or if you see milky yellow drainage from the blister sites.

Call Healthline if you are unsure what you should do.

Also Check: How Long Does Shingles On The Face Last

Control Measures For Patients With Localized Rash

• If the patient is immunocompetent and the rash is localized, follow standard precautions and cover all lesions until lesions are dry and crusted.
• If a patient is immunocompromised and the rash is localized, follow standard precautions plus airborne and contact precautions until disseminated infection is ruled out. If dissemination is ruled out, follow standard precautions and cover all lesions until lesions are crusted.
• Only health care workers with adequate evidence of immunity to varicella should care for patients with zoster.

How Can You Prevent Shingles

Vaccination is the only way to reduce the chance of getting shingles since the virus that causes shingles is already present in anyone who has had chickenpox.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends two doses of recombinant zoster vaccine to prevent shingles and related complications in adults 50 years and older. Shingrix is also recommended for adults 19 years and older who have weakened immune systems because of disease or treatments they are receiving. The varicella vaccine protects against chickenpox.

Also Check: When Are You Not Contagious With Shingles

Management Of Exposed Individuals

Evaluate evidence of immunity to varicella in all individuals exposed to zoster.

• For localized zoster, exposures include those with intimate contact . These exposures are usually limited.
• For disseminated zoster, exposures include those in the same 2- to 4- person bed room, adjacent beds in a large area, or face-to-face contact.

Control Measures For Patients With Disseminated Or Generalized Rash

• If the rash is disseminated , follow standard precautions plus airborne and contact precaution until the lesions are crusted, regardless of if the patient is immunocompromised or immunocompetent.
• Place patient in negative airflow rooms. If this is unavailable, place patients in their own room and keep the door closed. Those without immunity to varicella should not enter the room.
• Only health care workers with adequate immunity to varicella should care for patients with zoster.

You May Like: Does Shingles Give You Flu Like Symptoms

Who Is At Risk For Shingles

You! About 98 percent of adults have had chickenpox and are at risk for shingles. In the United States, at least 1 million people get shingles each year. Shingles is far more common in people age 50 and older than in younger people. About half of shingles cases occur in people age 60 or older. It is more common in people who have a weakened immune system because of a disease, such as cancer or human immunodeficiency virus , or from drugs, like steroids or chemotherapy. Anyone can get shingles, though, including children.