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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Shingle Virus Contagious?

I am a caregiver for my grandchild. His other grandmother f has the shingle virus. My 15th month old grandchild visited his grandmother with the shingles. My grandson has only had 1 vaccine for the chicken pox virus. My question is can he get the chicken pox from his grandmother with the shingles and if so can I get the shingles from him should he develop chicken pox. I had chicken pox as a child but not the vaccine for shingles. I read if I should get the shingle vaccine I should not be around my grandson who has not had chicken pox.
Fri, 7 Nov 2014
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Shingles is a contagious viral infection caused by a virus of herpes family called Herpes zoster. There is a possibility of his getting it from his grandmother. The chicken pox vaccine wound not be protective against shingles. However you need not panic. It is not necessary for him to catch the disease simply because he has visited his grandmother with shingles. If he gets the disease and if you are unable to maintain proper hygiene, only then you can get it from him. Singles will not convert or give rise to chicken pox. Whether you want to get shingles vaccination is something that you would have to decide. The vaccine has to be given prior to exposure, to be effective and if anybody has shingles (not chicken pox), you need to stay away from him. It is untrue that you cannot be around your grandson who does not have any infection.
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Is Shingle Virus Contagious?

Shingles is a contagious viral infection caused by a virus of herpes family called Herpes zoster. There is a possibility of his getting it from his grandmother. The chicken pox vaccine wound not be protective against shingles. However you need not panic. It is not necessary for him to catch the disease simply because he has visited his grandmother with shingles. If he gets the disease and if you are unable to maintain proper hygiene, only then you can get it from him. Singles will not convert or give rise to chicken pox. Whether you want to get shingles vaccination is something that you would have to decide. The vaccine has to be given prior to exposure, to be effective and if anybody has shingles (not chicken pox), you need to stay away from him. It is untrue that you cannot be around your grandson who does not have any infection.