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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Shingles Transmitted From One Person To Another?

Hi my name is tina, my daughters friend this evening has just been told he has singles. My daughter is 23. He has been told to take nurofen and Panadol. My daughter from memory has not had chicken pox. I am worried for her. Is it possible she can contract this, and what can she do. Also is it advisable she stay away form me till she is clear if she contracts it. I am 52yrs old. I feel a little helpless I cant help her and feel the need to protect myself as well being her mother. Thank you for listening, hope you can help with this.
Kind regards
Tina
Wed, 4 May 2016
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Dear Tina Ma'am, Hi & Welcome to HCM.
Yes shingles can be transmitted from a person with active shingles to another person who has never had chickenpox.
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is an infection of a nerve and the skin around it. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus which also causes chickenpox.The main symptom is a painful rash which develops on one side of the face or body. The rash forms blisters that contain the active virus.
The blisters typically scab over in 7-10 days & clear up within 2-4 weeks.
The person with active shingles can transmit the virus until the rash has developed crusts (scab).
The virus that causes shingles can spread from a person with active shingles to another person who has never had chickenpox. Once infected, the person will develop chickenpox, however but not shingles.
So, I would advise your daughter to avoid contact with her friend till the rash has developed crusts. I also recommend Shingles vaccine for both of you as it reduces the risk of developing shingles and the long-term pain from post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) caused shingles.
Hope the suggestion given would be beneficial to both of you.
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Is Shingles Transmitted From One Person To Another?

Dear Tina Ma am, Hi & Welcome to HCM. Yes shingles can be transmitted from a person with active shingles to another person who has never had chickenpox. Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is an infection of a nerve and the skin around it. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus which also causes chickenpox.The main symptom is a painful rash which develops on one side of the face or body. The rash forms blisters that contain the active virus. The blisters typically scab over in 7-10 days & clear up within 2-4 weeks. The person with active shingles can transmit the virus until the rash has developed crusts (scab). The virus that causes shingles can spread from a person with active shingles to another person who has never had chickenpox. Once infected, the person will develop chickenpox, however but not shingles. So, I would advise your daughter to avoid contact with her friend till the rash has developed crusts. I also recommend Shingles vaccine for both of you as it reduces the risk of developing shingles and the long-term pain from post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) caused shingles. Hope the suggestion given would be beneficial to both of you.