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Is Shingles Infection Contagious?
Hello this is Renee. I let you know that I am deaf and am not good with my English . I wanted to ask you question. I am stage four breast cancer mestatic. I have low immune system. My mom in law has shingle around her waist. Should I avoid to see her?
Tue, 18 Jun 2019
Hello,
But shingles cannot be passed from one individual to another, the varicella-zoster virus can be spread from a person with shingles at the active stage to someone who has never had chickenpox and the infected individual would get chickenpox, not shingles.
Shingles are not spread through coughing or sneezing but through direct contact with fluid from the blisters.
Before the blisters develop and after the crusts form, the person is not contagious.
Shingles are less contagious than chickenpox. The risk of spreading the virus is low if the rash is covered.
However you may try to avoid direct contact till blisters are crusted, after that you may visit your mother.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Suzana Zharri, General & Family Physician
But shingles cannot be passed from one individual to another, the varicella-zoster virus can be spread from a person with shingles at the active stage to someone who has never had chickenpox and the infected individual would get chickenpox, not shingles.
Shingles are not spread through coughing or sneezing but through direct contact with fluid from the blisters.
Before the blisters develop and after the crusts form, the person is not contagious.
Shingles are less contagious than chickenpox. The risk of spreading the virus is low if the rash is covered.
However you may try to avoid direct contact till blisters are crusted, after that you may visit your mother.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Suzana Zharri, General & Family Physician
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