When is shingles contagious? That depends on how it affects you and who else you’re infected with. The rash is red and itchy, and it usually appears in bands along the chest, back, or torso. The rash is similar to that of chickenpox, but shingles appears only on certain areas. The disease is usually acute, resulting in pain that can be extremely disabling.

The rash may last anywhere from one to 14 days, and the pain may be mild or severe. In some cases, the pain is sharp and stabbing. Shingles episodes last about two to four weeks, but some people may have pain and symptoms for several weeks after the rash has gone . Shingles typically affects a particular area of the body and doesn’t cross the midline in itsmyblog. The most common areas are the chest and abdomen.

Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus. Anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk for developing shingles. This virus stays dormant in the body even after the chickenpox infection has been treated. It can reactivate many years later in surfbook. The rash can cause pain and blisters and may leave a slight scar. Unlike chickenpox, however, shingles is contagious.

Shingles is transmitted by contact with people with chickenpox. Most people only have one attack but if someone has a weak immune system, it is possible for the disease to return more than once. Once you have had chickenpox, the virus can remain dormant in the body for years and reactivate decades later in go90. This is why shingles can be contagious even after years have passed.

The pain and burning from shingles are the most common symptoms of the disease. The affected area is usually the upper abdomen. Other symptoms may include numbness, burning, or tingling, and severe itching. People with chickenpox are also more likely to contract shingles in wordmagazine. If the disease spreads to a new area, it is important to cover the area until a crust forms. This is the only way to keep the infection from spreading to others.

While shingles is not contagious, the varicella-zoster virus can be dangerous to the unborn child and pregnant women. The infection may cause pneumonia, and in rare cases, damage to the baby. For this reason, pregnant women and those who are unvaccinated should avoid contact with a person with shingles until the symptoms have cleared up. It’s important to remember that shingles cannot be transmitted between people unless the infected person comes into contact with the infected person’s body fluid.

If you suspect you have shingles, go see a doctor as soon as possible. The doctor can confirm your symptoms and suggest a treatment plan. Most cases can be diagnosed with a visual examination, although a shingles test is necessary for some people with weakened immune systems in infoseek. You may need antiviral medication to make the blisters heal faster and limit the pain associated with the condition. Treatment typically lasts between three and five weeks.