Have Shingles And Granddaughter Has Had Chickenpox. Can She Be Infected If Went To See Her?

Posted on Sun, 7 Jul 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 7 Jul 2013 Answered on

Sat, 3 Aug 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : I may have shingles. My granddaughter has had the chickenpox vaccine. If I see her socially will she be at risk for shingles?

Answered by Dr. Johny Chacko (25 minutes later)

Hello ,
Welcome to healthcare magic
Even though Shingles and Chicken pox are caused by the same virus, shingles is not as infectious as chicken pox. Chicken pox is a droplet infection so coughing and sneezing will transmit it. But shingles will transmit the virus only if you touch the rash or come in contact with the blister fluid for long time. It won't spread if you see her socially. Moreover from shingles others get chicken pox and not shingles.

Chicken pox vaccine protects the child usually for a duration of 10 years.

So do not worry. Please XXXXXXX your grand daughter without worrying about transmitting chicken pox.
Hope this helped
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar