Herpes zoster cannot be transmitted from person to person, however, the disease-causing virus, which is also responsible for chickenpox, can, through direct contact with skin lesions or secretions.
However, the virus is only transmitted to those who have never contracted chickenpox before and have not manufactured the vaccine against the disease; in fact, those who have already been infected with the virus at some point in their lives cannot be reinfected because the body produces antibodies against a new infection.
- The risk of transmitting shingles virus is higher when blisters still exist on the skin.
- As the virus is found in secretions released by wounds.
- So it is possible to get the virus when:.
Therefore, those with shingles should take some precautions to avoid transmitting the virus, especially if there is a loved one who has never had chickenpox, such as washing their hands regularly, avoiding scratching blisters, covering skin lesions and never sharing.objects that have been in direct contact with the skin.
When the virus passes to another person it does not cause shingles, but chickenpox, shingles only appears in people who have already had chickenpox at some point in their life, and when their immune system is weakened, so you can’t catch someone else’s shingles.
This occurs because after having chickenpox, the virus falls asleep inside the body and can wake up when the immune system is weakened by a disease, such as severe influenza, a widespread infection, or an autoimmune disease, such as AIDS, for example.When awakened up, the virus does not give birth to chickenpox, but to shingles, which is a more serious infection and causes symptoms such as burning sensation in the skin, blisters on the skin and persistent fever.
Learn more about shingles and symptoms to watch for
People who have never had contact with chickenpox are at risk of contracting the virus that causes shingles.For example, risk groups include:
However, even if the virus is transmitted, the person will not develop shingles, but chickenpox.Years later, if your immune system is compromised, shingles may appear.
See the first signs that you may have chickenpox.