Apparently shingles IS contagious
By NJ Chicaa
@NJChicaa (119698)
United States
August 23, 2019 2:28pm CST
I thought it was only an issue for people who have never had chicken pox before. Nope. The doctor my husband saw today said that anyone who comes in contact with the rash while he is contagious could potentially get shingles if they've had chicken pox before. *hand raised*
I'm now supposed to keep an eye out for flu-like symptoms. Oh boy.
13 people like this
13 responses
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
23 Aug 19
I did not know that. My mother got them and I didn't catch them and certainly around her enough. So hopefully unlikely for you.
4 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
23 Aug 19
@NJChicaa I did not have that.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78882)
• East Tawas, Michigan
24 Aug 19
Oh my gosh, this is news to me! I had no idea that shingles were contagious, ever. What if you got the shot right away, could that protect you from this virus?
1 person likes this
@NJChicaa (119698)
• United States
24 Aug 19
@kobesbuddy He said he feels terrible
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78882)
• East Tawas, Michigan
24 Aug 19
@NJChicaa My doctor offers this shot each year, but I've never gotten it. This fall, I'm gonna say 'yes'.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (180979)
• United States
23 Aug 19
Your husband had Shingles? Wow, that is usually a disease of the elderly, or at least those in late middle age.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (180979)
• United States
23 Aug 19
@NJChicaa Well this whole divorce thing was his idea...maybe it is karma..However, Shingles is really painful, I hope he is better soon.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (37357)
• Toccoa, Georgia
23 Aug 19
Oh goodness. I didn't know anyone could get them. I had chicken pox as a teenager and my Mom told me I should get the Shingles vaccine.
1 person likes this
@florelway (23286)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
23 Aug 19
I thought once you had it you are already immune. The most contagious stage is when the shingles become scabs.
1 person likes this
@jnrdutton (3164)
• United States
23 Aug 19
I never knew it was contagious, so this is good information to have for future reference, thank you.
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
27 Aug 19
yup.my mom had it once and i told her to get the hell away from me.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (41459)
• United States
23 Aug 19
Hope your husband will get well soon. If you have any symptoms at all, please see your doctor for a shot and meds. The earlier you catch it, the better you'll fare. I had chicken pox as a child, had the shingles shot years ago, but still got shingles. It was milder than it probably would have been, though. I hope to get the new 2 shot vaccine soon.
1 person likes this
@Scrapper88 (5983)
• United States
23 Aug 19
Shingles and chicken pox comes from the same virus.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
23 Aug 19
A person with active shingles can spread the virus when the rash is in the blister-phase. You are not infectious before the blisters appear. Once the rash crusts, you are no longer infectious. Source: CDC
The virus that causes shingles, the varicella zoster virus, is spread through direct contact with fluid from the rash blisters.
1 person likes this
@garysibi (702)
• Chicago, Illinois
24 Aug 19
People who have had chickenpox are at a greater risk but anyone can get it. I had a friend who got it in his eye once.
