Is Shingles Contagious?

Shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same microorganism— varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Once the virus enters your body, it lives there forever, mainly in a dormant state. Shingles are not contagious, but the virus causing it is. 

If you have shingles, you can't spread the infection to others. But you can pass the varicella-zoster virus to individuals who have never been infected or vaccinated, causing them to develop chickenpox instead of shingles. 

Common signs and symptoms of shingles

Early symptoms of shingles start as an itchy or tingling sensation on the affected area, followed by slightly reddish spots with small bumps. Then, a painful rash with blisters develops a few days later. Typical symptoms appear 48 to 72 hours after experiencing the initial prodromal itchy/tingling sensation. 

The rash commonly appears in a single band and typically affects one side of the body. It can develop on your chest, back, arm, or face. In most cases, the blisters dry up between seven and ten days to form yellowish scabs that disappear entirely within 14 to 28 days.

If the shingles rash develops on your face, seek medical attention immediately. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this viral infection in the facial area can damage the eyes and cause blindness.¹

Other signs and symptoms include: 

• Headache

• Fever

• Chills

Most people infected with shingles only experience symptoms once, but the infection can recur. 

How do you get shingles? 

Shingles, also called herpes zoster, only develop if you've previously had chickenpox. The varicella-zoster virus causes both chickenpox and shingles. When it enters your body for the first time, you get chickenpox instead of shingles. 

After a chickenpox infection, the virus stays in your body forever but generally remains inactive. When it potentially becomes active again years later, it causes shingles. In short, you only get shingles after a chickenpox infection and when the varicella-zoster virus reactivates in your body. 

How the shingles virus spreads

The shingles blisters are fluid-filled. Direct contact with blister fluid can spread the varicella-zoster virus to individuals who have never been infected with chickenpox or vaccinated against it. As a result, they may get chickenpox instead of shingles. 

If you have shingles, you cannot transmit the virus before the blister phase. The virus is also not contagious after the blisters dry up. Covering the shingles rash can reduce the spread of VZV to others.

Avoid people with shingles if you have not been vaccinated against the varicella-zoster virus and have never had chickenpox before. If you're infected with shingles, avoid contact with people with weak immune systems and those who have never had chickenpox, as well as the VZV vaccine. 

The chances of spreading varicella-zoster are higher if you have chickenpox than if you have shingles.

Who is at risk of having shingles? 

Anyone with a history of chickenpox infection can get shingles. Statistics say that 1 out of 3 Americans will get shingles in their lifetime. Moreover, 99% of U.S. citizens born before 1980 have likely had chickenpox, even if they can't recall the outbreak.² 

The chances of getting infected increase as you get older. Shingles are more common in seniors (50 years and older). While anyone who has recovered from chickenpox can get shingles, those with weak immune systems are more likely to have the disease. 

They include: 

• HIV patients

• People undergoing chemotherapy

• Individuals taking immunosuppressive medications

Are shingles contagious to kids? 

Shingles can't spread from one person to the other. But kids can contract the virus that causes shingles from an infected person if they are not vaccinated against the varicella-zoster virus and have never had chickenpox before. 

When they catch the virus for the first time, they will develop chickenpox. Years after recovering from the infection, they may get shingles. In short, children who have recovered from chickenpox can develop shingles. According to the New York Department of Health, anyone who's had chickenpox can get shingles, including kids.³

How long are shingles contagious? 

As mentioned, shingles are not contagious, but the virus causing the infection is. The varicella-zoster virus is contagious between the blister phase and the crusting phase. This is the period between the blisters appearing and the blisters starting to dry up. 

Two to three days after the early signs (itchy/tingling sensation) in the affected area, blisters will start to form (blister phase). The blisters will dry up seven to ten days later and create a crust (crusting phase). The shingles virus is contagious between these two phases. 

Tips to prevent spreading shingles

You don't have to isolate yourself if you have shingles. But you must follow the correct procedures to prevent spreading VZV to other people, which include:

• Cover the shingles rash properly to minimize the chances of other people touching your blisters.

• Don't touch your blisters. You might touch the fluid that contains the virus, which puts others at risk through interaction. Wash your hands regularly.

• Stay away from pregnant women. If they've never had chickenpox or been immunized against it, they may develop serious pregnancy complications when exposed to VZV. 

• Avoid individuals at a greater risk of getting infected, such as people with weakened immune systems (maybe because of HIV or immunosuppressants). 

Medications and treatment for shingles

If you suspect you have shingles, visit your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment plan. Doing so ensures you don't mistake another condition for shingles. A qualified physician will also recommend a treatment plan tailored to your health needs. 

Shingles have no cure, but you can treat the condition. Antiviral medicines can accelerate the healing process and reduce the severity of the infection.

These medicines include famciclovir, valacyclovir, and acyclovir. They work best if you use them as soon as possible after symptoms manifest. 

Over-the-counter pain medicine may also treat shingles pain. See your doctor to discuss the best treatment options for you. Other treatments recommended by the CDC to potentially reduce itching include: 

• Lukewarm oatmeal baths

• Wet compresses

• Calamine lotion

Shingles vaccination

The National Institute on Aging states that the shingles vaccine (aka, Shingrix) is safe and effective. It's the only way to protect yourself and your loved ones against viral infection and serious complications, such as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).⁴

Shingrix can prevent recurring outbreaks. It's recommended for adults 50 years and above as well as adults with weakened immune systems. People with serious allergic reactions to Shingrix should not take the dose. Don't get the vaccine if you are currently infected with shingles or are pregnant. 

The lowdown

Shingles are not contagious, but the virus causing it is. You cannot get shingles from an individual with shingles. People exposed to the infection will get chickenpox if they've never been vaccinated against the varicella-zoster virus and have never previously had chickenpox. 

The virus spreads through direct contact with fluid in the blisters. Shingles have no cure, but the viral infection can be cured. Vaccination is also available. If you think you have shingles, visit your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment plan.