The question of whether shingles are contagious is the first question out of many patients’ mouths after being diagnosed with the disease. Unfortunately, shingles are contagious.
Why Shingles Are Contagious
Shingles are contagious. This means that an individual that has contracted the disease should steer clear of others so that they, too, do not develop the disease. Children and the elderly are particularly susceptible to developing shingles. A shingles vaccine can assist in preventing shingles, but is no guarantee against contracting the disease.
However, to contract shingles from another individual, a person must conmen into direct contact with the rash through which shingles makes its presence known. This means that the person must touch the rash. Additionally, an individual can contract shingles by coming into contact with something that a stricken patient has touched. Therefore, it is very important to thoroughly cleanse houses and offices after a person has been diagnosed with shingles and to keep the patient away from others that do not currently have the disease.
It is also not uncommon for patients that have shingles to make other’s shingles worse. Rashes can spread and the disease can become more painful if two patients come into contact with each other. Therefore, each patient must be particularly careful to keep their distance from others.
