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Does Shingles Become Non Contagious After Taking Anti-viral Medication?

Posted on Wed, 23 Apr 2014

Question: I understand that shingles is no longer contagious after taking anti-viral medication for 7-10 days? True or false?

Answered by Dr. Nsah Bernard (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: True Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXXXX Thanks for posting on HCM, A person affected by shingles then received treatment should be cleared off the virus with a week or so. Shingles can even clear off on its own without treatment. You should also note that, shingles is a reactivation of a inert initially viral infection (herpes zoster) which probably affected in early life. After treatment for 7-10days you should not be able to infect. Hope this helps and wish you the best. Dr. Nsah

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar