Shingles is a disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the very same virus that is responsible for chickenpox. It is vital to know that this disease can be transmitted to another person but the important thing to understand about the shingles contagious period, is that it less contagious when compared to chickenpox. If you haven’t had chickenpox, or your immune system is compromised, it’s possible to contract the varicella zoster virus through contact with the unscabbed blisters of a person who has shingles. Once the blisters scab, it will no longer be contagious.

Initial infection through the varicella-zoster virus generally leads to the onset of chickenpox, and once you have had chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus will remain in your body in a state of inaction withing the nerve tissue for the remainder of your life. If the virus becomes actives again, the disease will be in the form of shingles.

The Shingles Contagious Period

It is possible to catch chickenpox off a person who has the varicella-zoster virus if you haven’t suffered from chickenpox before. However, many older children and adults will have had this condition once, and are therefore immune from having chickenpox again. Importantly, it is not possible to catch shingles in the same way. To that end, it’s important to remember that being exposed to someone with the shingles virus during the shingles contagious period will not lead to an onset of shingles.

The rash for shingles remains contagious until every blister isscabbed and dried up. Also, it’s worth noting that if the blisters within the virus have been covered by a dressing, it isn’t commmon for the virus to be move on to other people. The virus passes through touching the blisters on a person’s skin directly. In other words, if you are working when you are infected with shingles, you should be able to go back to work without a problem after the blisters are gone, or so long as you keep the cover the rash. In the same vein, children who have shingles can attend classes with a rash that is covered. It is not possible for someone to be infected with shingles simply through contact with the nasal secretions of saliva of a person who is otherwise infected. It is also not possible to get shingles if someone who has shingles coughs or sneezes on you.

Who Should Avoid People with Shingles?

In general, experts suggest that pregnant women who have never experienced chickenpox should always avoid people who are currently suffering from shingles. It is very important to protect yourself and your unborn child from the virus, as it can lead to significant complications if it is allowed to spread. In the same way, it is important for people who have poor or weakened immune systems to avoid people who have shingles. This is simply a general rule that is issued to people from medical professionals and doctors in an attempt to improve safety for the public. In most circumstances, it’s important to remember that only contact with blisters will actually pass on the virus to another person.