What Causes Shingles to Spread?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, roughly 20 percent of people who've contracted chicken pox will eventually get shingles, which is also known as herpes zoster. Shingles can be an extremely painful event for many and involves a rash that develops on specific areas of the skin. But as you cope with your own symptoms, you might also wonder if your condition is contagious. Understanding how shingles can infect others involves first understanding why this condition arises--and what you can do to keep those around you safe.
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Why Do You Get Shingles?
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The varicella-zoster virus is ultimately responsible for shingles--this is also the same virus that caused you to get chicken pox as a child. After you recovered from chicken pox, the virus embedded itself in your nervous system and lay dormant. In many cases, the varicella-zoster virus "sleeps" for many years before resurfacing in a different incarnation: shingles. It is unknown what reactivates the varicella-zoster virus; however, shingles is more common in the elderly and those with impaired immune systems. Since the varicella-zoster virus is a member of the same family of viruses that cause genital herpes, it makes sense that it can be spread to others--and indeed it can. But not in the way you think.
Can I Give Someone Shingles?
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No. If you have shingles, you cannot infect another person with the shingles. Remember, shingles is the second presentation of the varicella-zoster virus. If someone you know comes down with shingles, it was not contracted from another person; they had chicken pox at some point in life. However, if you have shingles, you can infect someone with chicken pox--especially when your rash is fresh. Someone who's not had prior exposure to the varicella-zoster virus before is susceptible to the live virus found in the fluid-filled blisters on your skin.
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Can Someone With Chicken Pox Spread Shingles?
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Again, the answer is no. Someone with chicken pox can only transmit the varicella-zoster virus to someone who's never been exposed to it--and that person will also contract chicken pox. Being exposed to someone with chicken pox will never cause you to get shingles.
Preventing Contagion
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The varicella-zoster virus is not airborne, so you can't spread it simply by being in the same room as other people. Similarly, if your rash has scabbed over or if you're experiencing symptoms that herald an outbreak of shingles such as pain, nausea and fever, you're in little danger of transmitting the virus. The varicella-zoster virus is passed through direct contact. If your rash is active, avoid physical contact with other people, because you don't know if they've had chicken pox before. Particularly at risk are children.
Shingles Vaccination
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If you're concerned that you'll spread the varicella-zoster virus to others, you may qualify for a shingles vaccination if you've already had chicken pox. In 2007, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration approved Zostavax, a vaccination against shingles for those aged 60 and above. A three-year clinical trial of the vaccination showed that it reduced shingles by 64 percent in 38,000 participants aged 60 to 69. However, some doctors are reticent to give the vaccination to those who have already had a case of the shingles, as a repeat occurrence is unlikely. Currently, there is no shingles vaccine approved for use for those under the age of 60.
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