When is shingles no longer contagious?

It is called Herpes Zoster although it has no relationship to the Herpes virus. It is caused by a reactivation of the virus that causes Chickenpox (Varicella). If someone has a history of having the chicken pox virus, it is unlikely that being around someone with shingles will make any difference. Once you have chicken pox, you never rid your body of the virus. It stays dormant in part of your nerve cells and can be reactivated, especially in times of stress or a weakened immune system, or cancer in the form of shingles.


Risk factorsBy Mayo Clinic staff
Anyone who's had chickenpox has the potential of developing shingles. However, it's most common in older adults: More than half the shingles cases occur in adults over 60.
In addition, people with weakened immune systems from HIV/AIDS, those who are receiving medical treatments, such as steroids, radiation and chemotherapy, or those who have a history of bone or lymphatic cancer are more likely to develop shingles. Most people develop shingles only once, but recurrences in other areas are possible.

A person with shingles can pass the varicella-zoster virus to anyone who hasn't had chickenpox before. This usually occurs through direct contact with the open sores of the shingles rash. Once infected, the person will develop chickenpox, however, not shingles.

The infection can be serious for certain groups of people with immune system deficiencies. The varicella-zoster virus cannot be spread to another person with a normal immune system who has already had chickenpox.
Until the shingles blisters scab over, avoid physical contact with:

    Anyone who's never had chickenpox
    Anyone who has a weak immune system
    Newborns
    Pregnant women (A chickenpox infection can be dangerous for the developing baby.)
    It is no longer contagious (Basicly) when there are no more open sores.


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