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Is Shingles A Contagious Disease?
Question: My girlfriend has an outbreak of shingles. We are scheduled to babysit for my grandchildren (ages 5 and 2) this weekend. Are the children at risk of contracting chicken pox or the shingles virus?
Brief Answer:
probably...
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
when there are active lesions there is the chance to transmit the virus. Normally the children should have started (or even completed vaccination against chickenpox). If the 5 years old has completed vaccination then the chances to get chickenpox are very low. The younger one may be in danger.
So just in case you should avoid coming into contact with them (particularly with the young one) until the lesions have healed. The same applies for pregnant women without a documented previous exposure to chickenpox.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
Kind regards!
probably...
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
when there are active lesions there is the chance to transmit the virus. Normally the children should have started (or even completed vaccination against chickenpox). If the 5 years old has completed vaccination then the chances to get chickenpox are very low. The younger one may be in danger.
So just in case you should avoid coming into contact with them (particularly with the young one) until the lesions have healed. The same applies for pregnant women without a documented previous exposure to chickenpox.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
Kind regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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