Shingles Contagious Period

Shingles Contagious Period

Should we ask the questions “Are shingles contagious?”  and “What is the shingles contagious period?” before or after we are around someone who has the condition? We tend to not think how important the answer to this question is until it could technically be too late. Having a medical condition such as shingles is no laughing matter.

To get right to it and answer the question “is shingles contagious?” the answer is yes and no. That was easy now wasn’t it? Unfortunately, shingles is one of those medical conditions in which there is a criterion to if one can or can’t “catch” it. Let’s first do a quick review on shingles; this way, we are able to understand more about the tricky answer to the shingles contagious period.

Before we discuss shingles we need to first discuss shingles causes, shingles complications and the chickenpox. Chickenpox is caused by the Varicella zoster virus which is no longer common in regions in which immunizations for chickenpox are administered. Like any other virus, it doesn’t care if you are young or old, male or female. Once this virus has run its course, it will then go into a dormant state. This state can be short lived or last for the rest of the individual’s life.

Hopefully the virus will not be “disturbed”, and you will not have to deal any further with the virus. If the virus is disturbed, you will not again suffer from chickenpox but it is very highly likely that you will experience a case of the shingles. This is one answer to the question, “Are shingles contagious?”

Have you had the chickenpox vaccination? Have you had the chickenpox before? If the answer is “No” to both questions then the answer to the question “Are shingles contagious?” is yes. Unfortunately, there are some “buts” and some “ifs” to this answer. However, if you are in the same room with the sufferer and have not touched anything they have, then the answer would be a sound “No”.  The only thing they want to know is, is there a natural cure for shingles and how do you get shingles pain relief?

On the other hand, if you did answer “No” to the first two questions of the last paragraph and you did touch something the sufferer touched with their blisters, then it is possible that you will transmit the virus to you but you won’t get shingles, you will get chickenpox. You can’t have shingles unless you’ve had chickenpox first. To answer the question, “Are they contagious?”, if you touched something the sufferer touched but their blisters have all healed and are falling off then the answer would be “No”.

So, what is the shingles contagious period?

It depends on if the rash has healed and have dried up.  If they are drying up and not oozing, then most likely the contagious period has ended.

If you are ill, pregnant, or have a poor immune system then you should avoid an individual who has shingles if at all possible. You don’t want to take the small chance that you could contract the virus. It’s a chance no one wants to take; in fact, there is a shingles vaccine that you may be eligible to take but you need to consult with your doctor if you are a good candidate.

The best thing to do is take preventative measures and simply stay away from one who is currently experiencing shingles. If the individual’s blisters haven’t yet crusted over, don’t touch or use anything that they have and wash your hands. This sounds terrible, but if there is a possibility that you could “catch” shingles then these preventative measures are very important to take.

Do your best to live a healthy lifestyle, follow a good diet and maintain a healthy immune system. If you are concerned if you or someone in your family may have shingles, please consult with your physician right away. Finally, the Shingles contagious period is consistent with the condition of the blisters.

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