Shingles how infectious?

[ReallyTired]

I was diagnosed with shingles last Monday and prescribed pain killers and anti vitals. The spots are starting to scab and I am feeling a bit better. I am very tired and still in pain.

I want to go out tomorrow. Do I risk giving people chickenpox if the spots are covered?

[BombadierFritz]

Its not v contagious at all, only through direct contact with the spots so if covered up or under clothes anyway, should be fine

[redannie118]

Yep I agree ive got it again :( its only contagious if you have direct contact with the blisters ( like cold sores) where are your blisters ? If they are not on your face/arms/hands you should be fine

[ReallyTired]

The blisters are on my thigh and goin. Let's put it this way, most of the blisters are covered by my knickers.

[redannie118]

Oh you poor love that must be sore :( but going out wise you should be fine

[Ragusa]

ow! poor you. As long as you don-t go swimking or trying on clothes I think you will be fine.

[NanaNina]

Well my GP was adamant when I had shingles on my face (mildly) that I must not be among babies or pregnant women. I said I had a christening in a few days time and she said "well you're not going" I explained the child was not a baby but 18 months old, but she still said NO to being with small children and pregnant woman. Must admit I wondered how they could catch it but she's a very experienced GP so there must be a reason. I said "but I'm making the cakes" and she said "Oh they'll be ok!!!"

[Wolpertinger]

Not contagious if it's covered up and it stops being contagious completely when the blisters are crusted over.

[IsItMeOr]

Nana I assume that was because you couldn't cover the shingles on your face?

DSis had shingles when pregnant with DC2, and managed to infect DC1 and her DH (who never had CP as a child) with chicken pox. So it does happen.

OP, as you are able to cover the rash, it should be unlikely that you will pass it on.

NHS Choices says:

Staying off work or school
If you or your child has shingles, you only need to stay away from work or keep your child off school while:

• the rash is weeping (oozing fluid) and cannot be covered
  
• you or your child are feeling unwell
  

If the rash is only on your body and can be covered by clothing, there is little risk of passing the infection on to others.

[ReallyTired]

My rash has scabbed over. I did go out, but I kept the rash covered. There has to be a balance of risk as its not practical to be a hermit for two to three weeks. The six year old cannot walk to school on her own.

I am surprised that putting a plaster on someone's face is not a solution. Once you have had the anti vitals for a couple of days you are less infectious.

[Ragusa]

Our DS caught pox from his big sister's. shingles but they bathe together and he probably directly touched the rash. We did keep DD off school as one of her friends was immunocompromised on advice of GP and I was worried that the little girl might have skin to skin contact with DD.

[niceupthedance]

I had shingles and infected my colleague who came down with pretty horrendous chicken pox. I felt really bad but didn't know it could be spread via shingles.