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Have Shingles, Ear Pain, Leg Pain. How Long Is Shingles Contagious?
A month ago I was diagnosed with shingles. My ear had sharp pain once in awhile and my hair hurt on the one side when touching or coming it. Also I had pain in my leg on that side. Don't know if that was from shingles or that I had had a bad slip in the mud. It is starting to get better. But could hardly sleep on side as leg hurt at night. How long was I contagious after getting the shingles so I didn't spread it to anyone? And would I still be contagious to anyone now such as little children?
Wed, 5 Jun 2013
Hello,
Welcome to healthcare magic.
Shingles is caused by the same virus which causes chicken pox. But it is not so contagious like chicken pox. From shingles you can transmit chicken pox, not shingles. Only touching the shingles lesion can transmit chicken pox. Now that your shingles episode is over you would not transmit chicken pox to others.
Pain due to shingles is usually over the site where you had shingles. It is unlikely that your leg pain is due to shingles.
Hope this helped
Take care
Welcome to healthcare magic.
Shingles is caused by the same virus which causes chicken pox. But it is not so contagious like chicken pox. From shingles you can transmit chicken pox, not shingles. Only touching the shingles lesion can transmit chicken pox. Now that your shingles episode is over you would not transmit chicken pox to others.
Pain due to shingles is usually over the site where you had shingles. It is unlikely that your leg pain is due to shingles.
Hope this helped
Take care
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