Shingles

No one wants to be sick. For this reason, it is very important to recognize the signs and symptoms of viruses that can be passed from one person to another through various means. And although shingles is technically not "fully" contageous, a person with shingles should stay away from certain groups of people during a specific timespan within the shingles outbreak.

Signs and Symptoms

Shingles is sometimes misdiagnosed because the initial symptoms are associated with other common illnesses. Before blisters erupt, most people experience a burning or itching sensation under their skin on one area of their body. This sensation, along with the rash that later appears, is isolated to one side of the body and usually occurs on the abdominal area, chest, or face. Although much less common it can appear on the legs.

Many people also experience a fever, chills, headache or a sour stomach. A doctor will also determine if a person is at risk due to age and/or weakened immune system. If a doctor is still unsure of the diagnosis, a blood test can also be done.

After 2 to 3 days of initial symptoms, blisters will begin to appear in the affected area. They continue to appear for 3 to 5 days and will usually become crusted over within a week or two. After 3 to 4 weeks, the lesions usually disappear, although the pain from shingles can last several more weeks, months, or even years.

When is Shingles Contageous?

If you do any research on shingles, you will find that many professionals disagree as to whether or not shingles is contageous. This is probably because shingles cannot be spread to a healthy adult. However, infants, pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems (due to rheumatoid arthritis, chemotherapy, etc.), and people who are over 60 are at much greater risk of developing shingles.

It is also very important to note that people who have not had the chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine can get the chickenpox by coming into contact with someone who has shingles.

The only time shingles can be spread, as either chickenpox or shingles, is during the short period of time when the fluid-filled blisters are developing and have not yet crusted over. During this time, a person with shingles should avoid the groups of people mentioned above who are at risk for acquiring the virus.

Shingles |