What do you know about shingles?

Question

It started with body aches, specifically in my right arm. THen there were chills and fatigue. I thought it was a bad cold. The arm pain became worse and then the painful red bumps began emerging on my hand.

It was misdiagnosed twice at a minor emergency clinic, and finally, today, at the dermatologist, it was diagnosed as shingles and I have begun taking an antiviral med.

The pain is absolutely horrible, but my question is this: How long before I am not contagious to friends who have not yet had chicken pox? I have a friend who has never had chicken pox (and who is now immuno-suppressed, due to her cancer). She was going to come over for Christmas, and I was wondering if, after 4 days of this med, will it be ok for me to be around her?

Also, how does shingles spread from person to person (in the sense of non-chicken pox people developing chicken pox)? Is it by touch or by breathing the same air? Any and all help will be most welcome! Thanks!

I didn't think to ask about it while at the doc... I went as a walk-in to a doc who normally takes appointments only (he took me as a favor to my dad, who's also a doc). We basically focused on the extremely painful problem at hand and the treatment... I later looked up more shingles info on the Internet, but was not able the particualr info I'm posting about here.

I had chicken pox when I was 4 (1965). My understanding is that shingles, itself, is not contagious, but that the virus can be spread as chicken pox to people who have never had chicken pox. That can be especially dangerous in adults who have never had c.pox.

I did ask my dad... he said it "sounded like shingles" but couldn't possibly be shingles. He was an M.D. for many years, but he's been an psychiatrist for many more years. He's a great dad, and I did seek his advice... he knew he didn't have an answer (in fact, feared I had MRSA), and that's why he got me set up with his dermatologist after my two misdiagnoses with the minor emergency clinic.

Q&A was set up for questions such as these, which is why I am seeking answers here. I am smart enough to weed out crap answers and troll answers, but thank you for your concern.

Answer 1

Direct contact is needed. If you keep them covered you should not speard the chicken pox to your friend.

The meds only serve as a inhibitor, there is not cure for shingles except for it to run it's course, which can be a week to months. there Meds you are taking may help speed this up a little however buy bootsing your immunity system.

As long as your frined doesn't wear you uncleaned clothes and sleep in the same bed there should be no issues.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

Actually I just talked about this with my brother today. Shingles is a disease that people who HAVE had chicken pox might come down with. Something about the virus not really going away but moving to the nervous system where it multiplies and can reappear as shingles. I haven't found anything that says this always happens. There is now a vaccine that is being recommended for people 60 and over who have had chicken pox.

What I've read about it says that after the virus becomes active again, it can only cause shingles, not chickenpox.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

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Answer 7

Shingles is in the herpes-type class of diseases like smallpox and canker sores. transmission is by direct contact. There is no cure, and you may get it again.

Wash your hands often and disinfect your toilet seat---yes, it can be transmitted that way---and doorknobs, don't share clothing, and keep a distance while this runs its course. Your medication will be similar to a herpes medicine, and should have few, if any side-effects. Keep your hands away from the outbreak except when chanding bandages/dressing, wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands, and always remember to wash your hands.

Since your dad is an MD it is proper that he not treat you himself, but it is certainly preferable to call him and ask these questions rather than seeking advice on Q&A.

Answer 8

There are two types of herpes simplex virus: HSV-1 and HSV-2. Both virus types can cause sores around the mouth (herpes labialis) and on the genitals (genital herpes). Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).
Cold sores sometimes called fever blisters, are groups of small blisters on the lip and around the mouth. The skin around the blisters is often red, swollen, and sore. The blisters may break open, leak a clear fluid, and then scab over after a few days. They usually heal in several days to 2 weeks.
The herpes simplex virus usually enters the body through a break in the skin around or inside the mouth. It is usually spread when a person touches a cold sore or touches infected fluid—such as from sharing eating utensils or razors, kissing an infected person, or touching that person's saliva. A parent who has a cold sore often spreads the infection to his or her child in this way. Cold sores can also be spread to other areas of the body.
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Answer 9

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Answer 10

I know chicken pox is airborne, so let's assume that shingles are as well, rather than risking your friend's health. As for exposure, as long as there are open sores you can pass the nasties along. If you are on the meds and it is clearing up, you SHOULD be fine. Didn't the doc give you any guidance as far as all this goes?