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Can Shingles Be Transmitted Through Physical Contact?

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Posted on Mon, 21 Apr 2014
Question: I had chicken pox when i was 9 or 10 years old. I had shingles in my 30's. My boyfriend has the shingles, i touched his shingles by putting calamine lotion on.? I touched his soars oozing, putting lotion on, thinking i cant get sick, but i am feeling ill today, achee, stomach hurting flu like, no fever though, n itching some. Is it my mind, virus or getting pox again?
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Answered by Dr. Enrique Molina (2 hours later)
Brief Answer: it is possible Detailed Answer: the fact that you had chicken pox when young is a protective factor, however immunity goes down as years go by. This is why it is common for "elderly" people to get shingles again at that age, and that is why it is recommended for them to get a booster vaccine. 1 to 4% of people that had infection when young can get a second episode later on in life, but more commonly if the immune system goes does for any particular reason (medications, chemotherapy, hiv, etc). The virus is also very contagious, and the fact that you were in direct contact with the vesicle / soars, places you at risk for developing disease again. Hopefully you wont get the blisters, but it is certainly a possibility. You can develop pain, flu like symptoms, stomach aches, fevers, and the rash. There is no medication you should take at this time, unless the rash appears. Hope that helped.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Enrique Molina (43 minutes later)
I am very very nauciated and flu like! I am scared, so by touching his fluid soars, i can catch shingles? I though the shingles is something that comes out from nerves etal, so even though i had chick pox because of my afe 54 my resistance is low, i can get shingles now. If so what is the incu period?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Enrique Molina (11 hours later)
Brief Answer: Still early Detailed Answer: the incubation period is between 10 to 21 days. the flu like symptoms may begin 1-2 days before the rash. it is unlikely that you are having disease from shingles at this time if the contact was just a few days ago
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Enrique Molina

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Practicing since :2004

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Can Shingles Be Transmitted Through Physical Contact?

Brief Answer: it is possible Detailed Answer: the fact that you had chicken pox when young is a protective factor, however immunity goes down as years go by. This is why it is common for "elderly" people to get shingles again at that age, and that is why it is recommended for them to get a booster vaccine. 1 to 4% of people that had infection when young can get a second episode later on in life, but more commonly if the immune system goes does for any particular reason (medications, chemotherapy, hiv, etc). The virus is also very contagious, and the fact that you were in direct contact with the vesicle / soars, places you at risk for developing disease again. Hopefully you wont get the blisters, but it is certainly a possibility. You can develop pain, flu like symptoms, stomach aches, fevers, and the rash. There is no medication you should take at this time, unless the rash appears. Hope that helped.