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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Contagious Is Shingles?

Hi! I am puzzled whether I will get shingles or not. My husband has it now. My Mom can t remember if I ever had chicken pox when I was a child. My Mom states that she has never had them. Is there a lab test to figure out if I had chicken pox ever? Will my blood test show that? Should I get vaccine?
Mon, 2 Feb 2015
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
hi
i appreciate your concern
infectivity for shingles is 2 days before and 5 days after the appearance of rashes.
if you did not have it till then there are chances that you can very easily get this.
shingles vaccine reduces the risk of developing shingles by about 50% and it does not affect adversely if you had chicken pox in past
in my opinion you can take the vaccine

Hope i have answered you question.
wish you good health
take care
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How Contagious Is Shingles?

hi i appreciate your concern infectivity for shingles is 2 days before and 5 days after the appearance of rashes. if you did not have it till then there are chances that you can very easily get this. shingles vaccine reduces the risk of developing shingles by about 50% and it does not affect adversely if you had chicken pox in past in my opinion you can take the vaccine Hope i have answered you question. wish you good health take care