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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Shingles Be Transmitted By Kissing?

I was wondering can i give someone the shingles or wake up their virus by kissing them? Also can i give them the shingles or wake up their virus by hugging them if my rashes are completely covered? My rashes are on my left side by my hip, and yes they have had chicken pox.
Thu, 24 Dec 2015
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for posting in HCM.
Shingles or 'herpes zoster' is a painful, blistering skin rash caused by varicella-zoster virus.
Spread of virus is through direct contact with fluid from the rash blisters caused by shingles.
A person with active shingles can spread the virus when the rash is in the blister-phase. A person is not infectious before the blisters appear and after the rash has developed crusts.
Shingles is less contagious than chickenpox and the risk of a person with shingles spreading the virus is low if the rash is not exposed and is kept covered.
Hope the information provided would be helpful.
All the best.
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Can Shingles Be Transmitted By Kissing?

Hi, Thanks for posting in HCM. Shingles or herpes zoster is a painful, blistering skin rash caused by varicella-zoster virus. Spread of virus is through direct contact with fluid from the rash blisters caused by shingles. A person with active shingles can spread the virus when the rash is in the blister-phase. A person is not infectious before the blisters appear and after the rash has developed crusts. Shingles is less contagious than chickenpox and the risk of a person with shingles spreading the virus is low if the rash is not exposed and is kept covered. Hope the information provided would be helpful. All the best.