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Is Shingles Contagious?

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Posted on Mon, 12 Dec 2016
Twitter Mon, 12 Dec 2016 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 2 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on
Question : Is Shingles contagious?
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Answered by Dr. Vaddadi Suresh (22 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
contagiousness exists till scab formation

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
welcome to HCM.
If you meant Herpes zoster (blisters and pain without fever), conventionally called shingles, the answer is yes.
But the contagiousness exists till scab formation and it is not as contagious as primary varicella (chicken pox). After scab formation, they are no more contagious. Hence you should avoid contact with the early vescicles and pustules of shingles.
HOPE I AM CLEAR.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Vaddadi Suresh

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 963 Questions

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Is Shingles Contagious?

Brief Answer: contagiousness exists till scab formation Detailed Answer: Hi, welcome to HCM. If you meant Herpes zoster (blisters and pain without fever), conventionally called shingles, the answer is yes. But the contagiousness exists till scab formation and it is not as contagious as primary varicella (chicken pox). After scab formation, they are no more contagious. Hence you should avoid contact with the early vescicles and pustules of shingles. HOPE I AM CLEAR.