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Is Shingles Contagious?

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Posted on Sat, 24 May 2014
Twitter Fri, 23 May 2014 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 13 Jun 2014 Last reviewed on
Question : My son has shingles - we need to know if it can be contagious to his sons they are 6 and 10 and have been vaccinated. Can they develop chicken pox being around him or in the swimming pool - if my son goes swimming? I have had my spleen removed so should I stay away from him because I could get shingles?

THANK YOU
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Answered by Dr. Eric Goldstein (-5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Shingles

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for your question. Shingles, like chicken pox, can only be spread if direct contact is made with active lesions. Once the lesions have crusted over, they are no longer contagious.
The vaccinations the children received should render them immune. As a precaution, we should make sure there is no contact with any active lesions. As long as the lesions have crusted over, swimming for your son and the children is no problem.
As far as you, considering the splenectomy, you want to be extra cautious. Stay away from active lesions and you will be fine.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Eric Goldstein

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Practicing since :1999

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Is Shingles Contagious?

Brief Answer: Shingles Detailed Answer: Hello. Thank you for your question. Shingles, like chicken pox, can only be spread if direct contact is made with active lesions. Once the lesions have crusted over, they are no longer contagious. The vaccinations the children received should render them immune. As a precaution, we should make sure there is no contact with any active lesions. As long as the lesions have crusted over, swimming for your son and the children is no problem. As far as you, considering the splenectomy, you want to be extra cautious. Stay away from active lesions and you will be fine.