Embarrassing Illnesses

The blisters (vesicles) that develop as a result of shingles contain virus particles. The virus can be spread through direct contact with open blisters. A person who has shingles is contagious until the last blister has scabbed over. This will normally occur five to seven days after your symptoms started.

If you have not had chickenpox before (usually young children) you can catch it from someone with shingles.

However, you cannot get shingles unless you have previously had chickenpox. Once you have had chickenpox, the herpes varicella-zoster virus lies dormant and may be reactivated, in the form of shingles, at a later date.

Avoid spreading the virus

If you have a shingles rash, you should avoid sharing towels, going swimming or playing contact sports. This will help you to avoid passing the virus on to someone who has not had chickenpox.

Pregnant women and babies

If you have shingles, you should avoid contact with women who are pregnant and have not had chickenpox before. This is because there is a small risk that pregnant women who have not had chickenpox before may catch it from someone with shingles. However, it is not possible to catch shingles because the virus is reactivated rather than transmitted.

People with shingles should avoid contact with babies who are less than one month old. However, if you have shingles, your baby may have acquired antibodies which protect them from the illness.

Weak immune system

If you have a weak immune system, it is best to avoid close contact with someone with shingles.

view information about Shingles on www.nhs.co.uk »