To what extent or any is shingles contagious?

Yes, shingles is contagious to people who have never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine. When a person with shingles develops blisters, the blisters contain varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which can be spread to others through direct contact with the blisters. The virus can be spread until all the blisters have dried up and crusted over.

People with shingles who are concerned about spreading the virus to others should take precautions to cover the blisters and avoid direct contact with people who are not immune to VZV. These precautions include:

- Covering the affected area with clothing or a bandage

- Washing your hands frequently with soap and water after touching the affected area

- Avoiding contact with people with weakened immune systems, such as infants, young children, pregnant women, and people with cancer or HIV/AIDS

VZV can also be spread through the air from someone with chickenpox or shingles. However, the risk of getting shingles from someone with chickenpox or shingles is much lower than the risk of getting chickenpox from someone with chickenpox.

If you think you may have been exposed to VZV, talk to your doctor. There is a vaccine available to prevent chickenpox and shingles, and it is recommended for people who are not immune to VZV.