Shingles is not contagious in the traditional sense. You cannot catch shingles from someone who has it. However, the virus that causes shingles (varicella-zoster virus) is contagious, and it can be spread from a person with an active shingles infection to someone who has never had chickenpox. If you have never had chickenpox, you can develop chickenpox from coming into contact with the virus from a person with shingles.
Shingles is not spread through casual contact, but rather through direct contact with the blisters or the fluid from the blisters. It is important to avoid contact with the blisters to prevent the spread of the virus to others. If you have shingles, it is also important to wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread of the virus.
How do you get shingles?
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you have had chickenpox, the virus remains dormant (inactive) in your body. It can reactivate years later and cause shingles. It is not clear why the virus reactivates in some people and not others.
There are several factors that can increase your risk of developing shingles, including:
- Age: Your risk of developing shingles increases as you get older.
- A weakened immune system: People with HIV/AIDS, cancer, or other conditions that weaken the immune system are at higher risk of developing shingles.
- Certain medications: Some medications, such as steroids and drugs that suppress the immune system, can increase your risk of developing shingles.
- Stress: Physical or emotional stress can weaken your immune system and increase your risk of developing shingles.
It is not clear exactly how you contract shingles. It is thought that the virus may be spread through direct contact with the fluid from the blisters or through the air when someone with shingles coughs or sneezes. It is also possible to get shingles from touching objects or surfaces that have come into contact with the virus, such as towels, clothing, or bedding.
If you have never had chickenpox, you can develop chickenpox from coming into contact with the varicella-zoster virus. The virus is highly contagious and can be spread through direct contact with the fluid from the blisters or through the air when someone with chickenpox coughs or sneezes. It is also possible to get chickenpox from touching objects or surfaces that have come into contact with the virus, such as towels, clothing, or bedding.
It is important to avoid contact with people who have shingles or chickenpox to prevent the spread of the virus. If you have shingles, it is important to wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your blisters. If you have chickenpox, you should stay home until all of the blisters have crusted over to prevent spreading the virus to others.
In summary, shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. The virus can be spread through direct contact with the fluid from the blisters or through the air when someone with shingles or chickenpox coughs or sneezes. It is also possible to get shingles or chickenpox from touching objects or surfaces that have come into contact with the virus. The risk of developing shingles increases with age and is also higher in people with weakened immune systems or who are taking certain medications. It is important to avoid contact with people who have shingles or chickenpox to prevent the spread of the virus.
The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The information was generated by an artificial intelligence (AI) and has been fact-checked for accuracy, but should not be relied upon as professional medical advice. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional. Do not delay seeking medical advice or disregard medical advice because of information you have read on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
Tags: blisters, chickenpox, doctor, medical, shingles, virus
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