The most commonly asked question when dealing with this issue is, are shingles contagious? Shingles is also known by the name herpes zoster. The interesting facts about shingles is that it’s a medical condition characterized by painful rashes and blisters on the skin. These rashes occur in a specific area and usually only on one side of the body. Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). This virus is also responsible for the cause of chickenpox in humans, which is why it makes sense for people only to wonder are shingles contagious. The virus stays in the body after one has had chickenpox without causing any symptoms whatsoever. The virus is usually latent in the nerve cells of the body. However, it can break out of the nerve cells and cause a viral infection of the skin known as shingles. Some of the major trigger factors that cause it to break out of latency are stress, impaired immune system, etc.

Shingles is a medical condition that can be diagnosed and it is usually accompanied by the following symptoms:

Symptoms of Shingles List:

• Fatigue and tiredness and malaise.

• Fever accompanied by sudden chills.

• Persistent headaches.

• Digestive discomfort.

• Itchy skin that later develops into painful blisters and a characteristic skin rash that appears as a stripe from the spine to the chest.

The last condition is particularly helpful to the doctor to diagnose the condition. The rest of the symptoms are usually common flu-like symptoms. Laboratory tests are available that are used to diagnose shingles.

Are shingles contagious to children? Shingles in children is usually painless. The drug treatment for shingles can reduce the severity and duration of the shingles if the medication is started within 72 hours of the appearance of the rash.The rashes, pain, and other symptoms of shingles are usually found to subside within three to five weeks.

Undiagnosed shingles can lead on to postherpetic neuralgia, which is an extremely painful condition. Some major complications such as encephalitis, pneumonia, loss of eyesight, loss of hearing, vertigo, glaucoma, etc., can occur if shingles is left untreated. In some cases, it may result in the death of the patient. However, these conditions are rare.

As a Disease, Are Shingles Contagious?

Shingles is a socially distressing disease. This is because of the fact that if you are afflicted with shingles, and your blisters are still moist, there is a good chance that you will pass it on to anyone who you get in touch with. A healthy person can contract shingles if they come into direct contact with the rashes or blisters of the affected person. The person is more at risk if she/he has had chickenpox sometime in her/his life. However, a person who has never had chickenpox before also stands a risk of contracting shingles. This risk exists only when the rashes are raw and are not yet crusted. The risk of contracting shingles reduces when the rashes crust and develop scabs. So the answer to are shingles contagious is yes, but in a limited way. (Click the following link to see a short video explanation of the shingles virus by Dr. Jennifer Ashton)

The VZV does not spread through air. Thus, the coughing or sneezing of a person does not spread the virus through the air.

So a better question than are shingles contagious might be who are at risk of contracting shingles?

• A person who had had chickenpox earlier in life has the highest risk of contracting the disease.

• People above 50 years are also at risk of contracting shingles.

• Individuals with a compromised immune system such as those having AIDS form a high-risk group.

• A person who is taking extensive medication including immunosuppressive drugs is also at risk.

• Pregnant women and small children are at risk of developing the disease.

How to Manage Symptoms of Shingles

The treatment of shingles includes the management of the severity of the pain and shortening of the duration of the infection to avoid further complications. Analgesics, topical lotions and calamines to soothe the blisters, antivirals to reduce the infection, etc., are used for treating the infection. It has also been seen that vaccinations (Zostavax) protect aged people from contracting shingles. Sometimes, chickenpox booster injections also help. For young women it is recommended that they get vaccinated three months before attempting to become pregnant since you now know the answer to are shingles contagious.

Symptoms of Shingles and Pregnant Women

A pregnant woman should at all costs avoid contracting shingles. A pregnant woman who has had chickenpox earlier has a low chance of developing shingles when she comes into contact with an affected person. However, a healthy pregnant woman stands a fairly good chance of contracting shingles when she comes into contact with another person having shingles. If you are pregnant and you have shingles, the symptoms are much the same. The medical condition is characterized by the appearance of painful, itchy blisters on the skin. One may also experience a burning sensation of the skin.

Are Shingles Contagious to an Unborn Fetus?

Contraction of shingles during pregnancy can lead on to several other complications. The effect of shingles on the unborn fetus depends on the age of the fetus when shingles was contracted. Shingles during early pregnancy, within the first 24 weeks, can interfere with the health of the unborn child. Some babies of those mothers who had shingles during pregnancy have been seen to have birth defects. The complications are reduced for the baby if the mother contracts shingles after 24 weeks of pregnancy. However, the mother has to be treated for shingles to ensure that she does not develop further complications during pregnancy. If left untreated, the pregnant mother can develop pneumonitis which is life threatening for both the mother and the baby. So obviously shingles and pregnant women are not a good match!

A pregnant woman suspected of having shingles should be put on the treatment regimen at the earliest to avoid complications. Treatment includes prescription of antiviral drugs. It is a good idea to consult a medical  specialist for advice on over the counter drugs like antihistamines, NSAIDS, and painkillers. Cold compresses can be used to relieve the itch caused by the blisters. The blisters and rashes should be kept well covered with clean gauze and dressing. Pregnant women can take precautions to the question of are shingles contagious, like being wary of sharing towels or linen or clothing that can cause spread of shingles infection. Avoid use of public swimming pools. Avoid sports and other situations where there is need for physical contact.

Thus, in summary, shingles is a painful and distressing condition that can be avoided by taking proper precautions and practicing healthy habits. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to reduce the severe complications the condition can bring along. Now you know how to answer anyone who might ask you, are shingles contagious?

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Also, you can Click Here to download a great report by Bob Carlton titled, “How To Cure Shingles”. This report answers all the questions around are shingles contagious, and reveals a proven method to cure shingles in 3 days of less…