Are Shingles Catchy?

Question

I recently have been diagnosed with the shingles. They are internal and hurt like Helll. My question is since they are caused by a virus, are they catchy? Can I pass them to my friends?

Answer 1

Shingles are caused from the same virus that chickenpox are caused from. No one can catch them from you. They can be brought on my nerves, stress both physically and mentally and pure body exaustion. You can only get them if you have previously had the chickenpox, perhaps when you were a child. It is a type of nerve problem, and they say it is very miserable. Follow your Dr.'s orders to the T, or you will not progress as you should. If you are not satisfied with your questions and answers from your Dr., it is up to you to find a Dr. you trust. Being a nurse, I have changed Drs. many times in my life. If you don't like or trust them, then find one you do. Good luck with your recovery.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

Are Shingles Catchy

Answer 5

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Answer 6

Shingles is another name for a condition called "herpes zoster." It causes a painful rash. You can only get shingles if you had chickenpox in the past or if you have had the chickenpox vaccine ("shot").

After you have chickenpox (usually as a child), the virus that causes it stays in your body in certain nerve cells. Most of the time your immune system keeps the chickenpox virus in these cells. As you get older, or if your immune system gets weak, the chickenpox virus may escape from the nerve cells and cause shingles.

To help with the pain of shingles, your doctor might have you take an over-the-counter pain medicine like acetaminophen (one brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (one brand name: Motrin). Aspirin is not recommended because using it might cause a liver problem called Reye's syndrome.

Putting a medicated lotion (two brand names: Benadryl, Caladryl) on the blisters might reduce the pain and itching. Putting cool compresses soaked in an astringent liquid (two brand names: Bluboro, Domeboro) on the blisters and sores might make them hurt or itch less.

If shingles causes severe pain, your doctor might have you take a prescription pain medicine.

No one can catch shingles from you, but they can catch chickenpox if they haven't already had chickenpox or had the chickenpox vaccine. The chickenpox virus lives in the blisters from shingles, and the virus can be spread until the blisters are completely healed. If you have shingles, you should stay away from babies younger than 12 months and pregnant women.

Answer 7

Shingles are caused by the same virus that gave you chicken pox- and in your case it's been living with you asleep since then. If you have any open sores, you are contagious to anyone who has not had chicken pox. If you have them in your mouth or nose, you are also quite possibly breathing out the virus and need to be cautious with the tissues. Be sure to keep your washclothes, towels and clothing separate from the rest of the family, especially those who have not had chicken pox. Otherwise, you are not contagious to anyone who has had them.

Answer 8

I was at emergency at my local hospital last night because shingles was going into my eye. I was put in an isolation room until the Dr. could see me and confirm my suspicions because the triage nurses said I was potentially contagious. I did have shingles and was prescribed the antiviral medication and told I could not return to work until the zosters scabbed over as I was contagious to pregnant women, those trying to conceive and people with poor immune systems.

Answer 9

yes you can spread them, yes they are internal and come from old virus inside your body but if you have any weeping at all, you can spread them and especially to someone who has not had chicken pox. Ask your doctor about acyclovir, it's an antiviral medication for shingles, cuts the time down and speeds healing.

Answer 10

If your friends have never had the Chicken Pox befor, or only had a very very mild case, then they can catch the virus from you but it will manifest as Chicken Pox as Shingles is the second manifestation of the virecella zoster virus, while Chicken Pox is the first manifestation.