Hi,I am Dr. Amitkumar Sharma (Internal Medicine Specialist). I will be looking into your question and guiding you through the process. Please write your question below.
my sister has been exposed to her husband with shingles. He just came down with it today. She was kissing him & rubbing his back & he is broken out on his back, but she didn't notice it. how long is he contagious & is there anything she can take to prevent her from getting it? They are elderly, 78, 79.
The rash forms blisters that typically scab over in 7 to 10 days and clears up within 2 to 4 weeks. Your sister's husband can be contagious until his blisters completely scab over and clear up which may take about 4 to 6 weeks.
The only way to reduce the risk of developing shingles and the long-term pain from post-herpetic neuralgia, your sister should get vaccinated. CDC recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine to protect against shingles.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards, Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali
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How Long Does Shingles Remain Contagious?
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. Shingles also called herpes zoster which usually starts as a painful rash on one side of the face or body due to reactivation of the varicella zoster virus. The rash forms blisters that typically scab over in 7 to 10 days and clears up within 2 to 4 weeks. Your sister s husband can be contagious until his blisters completely scab over and clear up which may take about 4 to 6 weeks. The only way to reduce the risk of developing shingles and the long-term pain from post-herpetic neuralgia, your sister should get vaccinated. CDC recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine to protect against shingles. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali