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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Contagious Is Shingles?

I spent time with my father last weekend and received a phone call on Tuesday from his nursing home stating he had just been diagnosed as having shingles. My daughter does not want me to go to her house this weekend to see my grandson because she doesn t want him to catch chickenpox. Can this happen? How contagious is shingles? If so, how long is the contagious period? Cheers
Thu, 8 May 2014
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Infectious Diseases Specialist 's  Response
Hello,
Welcome to HCM,

Chicken pox is a viral disease which is transmitted from the infected individual through droplet infection or droplet nuclei.

It is highly communicable 1-2 days before the appearance of rash and 4-5 days thereafter. After which virus tends to die out and looses the capacity to transmit disease to normal individuals.

The scabbing usually begins 4-7 days after the rash and completed by 30 days. During the scabbing period you are sterile and will not transmit disease to others.
Thank you.
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How Contagious Is Shingles?

Hello, Welcome to HCM, Chicken pox is a viral disease which is transmitted from the infected individual through droplet infection or droplet nuclei. It is highly communicable 1-2 days before the appearance of rash and 4-5 days thereafter. After which virus tends to die out and looses the capacity to transmit disease to normal individuals. The scabbing usually begins 4-7 days after the rash and completed by 30 days. During the scabbing period you are sterile and will not transmit disease to others. Thank you.