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How Long Does Shingles Remain Contagious?
my sister has been exposed to her husband with shingles. He just came down with it today. She was kissing him & rubbing his back & he is broken out on his back, but she didn't notice it. how long is he contagious & is there anything she can take to prevent her from getting it? They are elderly, 78, 79.
Mon, 30 Apr 2018
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Shingles also called herpes zoster which usually starts as a painful rash on one side of the face or body due to reactivation of the varicella zoster virus.
The rash forms blisters that typically scab over in 7 to 10 days and clears up within 2 to 4 weeks. Your sister's husband can be contagious until his blisters completely scab over and clear up which may take about 4 to 6 weeks.
The only way to reduce the risk of developing shingles and the long-term pain from post-herpetic neuralgia, your sister should get vaccinated. CDC recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine to protect against shingles.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Shingles also called herpes zoster which usually starts as a painful rash on one side of the face or body due to reactivation of the varicella zoster virus.
The rash forms blisters that typically scab over in 7 to 10 days and clears up within 2 to 4 weeks. Your sister's husband can be contagious until his blisters completely scab over and clear up which may take about 4 to 6 weeks.
The only way to reduce the risk of developing shingles and the long-term pain from post-herpetic neuralgia, your sister should get vaccinated. CDC recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine to protect against shingles.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali
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