Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Once you have had chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in your body. It can reactivate years later and cause shingles.

Shingles is not contagious in the same way that chickenpox is. You cannot get shingles from someone who has shingles. However, you can get chickenpox from someone who has shingles if you have never had chickenpox or never got the chickenpox vaccine.

The varicella-zoster virus can be spread through contact with the fluid from the shingles rash blisters or breathing in virus particles that come from the blisters. However, the risk of spreading the virus is low if the rash is covered.

People with shingles are most contagious when the rash is in the blister phase. The blisters are usually filled with fluid that contains the virus. Once the blisters scab over, the virus is no longer contagious.

The risk of spreading shingles can be reduced by:

• Covering the rash with clothing or bandages.
• Washing your hands often.
• Avoiding close contact with people who have never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine.

If you are concerned about getting shingles, talk to your doctor. There is a vaccine that can help protect you from shingles. The vaccine is especially recommended for people who are over 50 years old or who have a weakened immune system.

Here are some additional details about shingles and its contagiousness:

• The shingles rash usually appears on one side of the body, but it can sometimes appear on both sides.
• The rash is often accompanied by pain, tingling, or numbness in the affected area.
• The rash can last for 2-4 weeks.
• Most people recover from shingles without any complications.
• However, shingles can be serious for people with a weakened immune system.

If you think you may have shingles, see your doctor right away. Early treatment can help reduce the severity of the rash and the risk of complications.