How contagious are shingles? Medical professionals, please.?

Question

Explain fully how shingles are contagious. I have a granddaughter who has had the vaccine and a pregnant daughter having contractions even as I type. I have a small patch of shingles (I caught it within 72 hours), I have been taking Valtrex for 6 days and one of the lesions broke today and I expect the rest to break really soon.

Answer 1

i know I'm not a medical professional but know that shingles are a form of the herpes virus (it is the second stage of the chicken pox virus)....if you ask me I would not have contact with either of the family members until the sores clear up.

Answer 2

I am not a medical professional, but am interested in the subject and have read a lot about it.

Shingles is only contagious through direct contact with the fluid from the blisters.  If you just have a small patch, cover it with clothing or a bandage, wash your hands, and enjoy meeting your new grandchild!

Answer 3

As long as the people have had the chicken pox and are not touching the shingles themselves then they are completely safe.

Answer 4

Shingles are a "re-infection" of chicken pox in someone who already had them. It is spread the same way chicken pox are spread-- anyone who hasn't had the pox better stay away. It can be dangerous for pregnant women because the baby hasn't yet had the pox and can be exposed and now gets chicken pox. Also-- just like chicken pox, they usually stop being contagious after they "scab over". They are most contagious right before and right during the initial outbreak occurs.