Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Have Visited A Friend Who Has Meningitis Caused By Shingles. Is There Chances For The Disease To Get Transmitted?

I visited a friend 9 days ago and today she is in the hospital with meningitis caused by shingles. She was not sick when I saw her. I am TERRIFIED that I may have caught it from her, although I have no symptoms now. We hugged and she served me dinner. I have had chicken pox in my childhood. I have a tendency to get herpes simplex on my mouth, but have no outbreak now. I HAVE had the shingles vaccine, had it last summer when I turned 60. Please help me not to panic, I am actually having a panic attack about this. Many thanks.
Thu, 6 Jun 2013
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,
There is nothing to worry for you.
The virus that causes zoster can be passed on to others, but they will develop chicken pox, if susceptible, not zoster. Shingles is much less contagious than  chicken pox because chicken pox can be spread through the air, whereas spread of shingles occurs only with direct contact or indirect contact  with the blister fluid which contains the virus particles. A person who has never had chicken pox may contract chicken pox by exposure to the shingles rash. 
But since you had chicken pox in your child hood, you can't get chicken pox now.
You also had shingles vaccine,so there is nothing to worry and just relax.
Zoster occurs only if chicken pox virus gets reactivated but how it gets reactivated,is not known.It is said that weak immune system results in re activation of virus and this generally happens in people above the age of 50 years.However you appear safe.
Thanks
I find this answer helpful

 1 user finds this helpful

2 Doctors agree with this answer

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Skin rash


Loading Online Doctors....
Have Visited A Friend Who Has Meningitis Caused By Shingles. Is There Chances For The Disease To Get Transmitted?

Hello, There is nothing to worry for you. The virus that causes zoster can be passed on to others, but they will develop chicken pox, if susceptible, not zoster. Shingles is much less contagious than  chicken pox because chicken pox can be spread through the air, whereas spread of shingles occurs only with direct contact or indirect contact  with the blister fluid which contains the virus particles. A person who has never had chicken pox may contract chicken pox by exposure to the shingles rash.  But since you had chicken pox in your child hood, you can t get chicken pox now. You also had shingles vaccine,so there is nothing to worry and just relax. Zoster occurs only if chicken pox virus gets reactivated but how it gets reactivated,is not known.It is said that weak immune system results in re activation of virus and this generally happens in people above the age of 50 years.However you appear safe. Thanks