Can shingles be contagious?

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on March 03, 2025
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Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus infection. It has mild contagiousness, but the contagious period is very short, typically lasting about a week from when blisters appear to when they dry up. During this period, try to avoid contact with very young children or elderly people with low immunity, otherwise, it may be transmitted to them.

Once diagnosed, it must be treated formally. Common antiviral medications can cure it. This disease can also easily leave complications, so it is crucial to detect and treat it early. During treatment, it is advisable to take some neuro-nourishing medications orally, avoid spicy and irritating foods, refrain from staying up late, exercise moderately, rest more, and drink plenty of water.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Can shingles be contagious?

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus infection. It has mild contagiousness, but the contagious period is very short, typically lasting about a week from when blisters appear to when they dry up. During this period, try to avoid contact with very young children or elderly people with low immunity, otherwise, it may be transmitted to them. Once diagnosed, it must be treated formally. Common antiviral medications can cure it. This disease can also easily leave complications, so it is crucial to detect and treat it early. During treatment, it is advisable to take some neuro-nourishing medications orally, avoid spicy and irritating foods, refrain from staying up late, exercise moderately, rest more, and drink plenty of water.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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What should not be eaten with herpes zoster?

Patients with herpes zoster need to pay close attention to their diet. Firstly, they should avoid overly greasy and overly spicy foods. Seafood and barbecue should also be avoided as much as possible. Smoking and drinking alcohol are prohibited. Secondly, patients with herpes zoster generally have lower immunity and weaker constitutions. Therefore, it is recommended to eat more soy products, or foods rich in protein, such as fish and lean meat. It is also necessary to consume plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, and eat foods that are easy to digest. Lastly, patients with herpes zoster should try to eat fewer acidic foods, such as spinach, carbonated drinks, and other beverages that contain additives.

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Written by Yu Gang
Dermatology Department
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How long does herpes zoster take to heal?

The healing time for shingles varies from person to person; generally, younger people recover faster, while older individuals take longer. Treatment typically includes oral antiviral medications like famciclovir and acyclovir, as well as nutrients for nerve health such as vitamins B1 and B12, along with oral traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture. However, if it progresses to postherpetic neuralgia, the condition tends to heal more slowly. Postherpetic neuralgia can only alleviate pain but is generally difficult to cure completely.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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What is shingles?

Herpes zoster is a viral skin disease, and humans are the only hosts for the varicella-zoster virus. Therefore, the virus can easily enter the bloodstream through the respiratory tract mucosa, leading to viremia, and consequently causing chickenpox or presenting as a latent infection. The virus can lie dormant for long periods in our ganglia or nerve roots. When the body is stimulated again, leading to a decrease in resistance, the dormant virus can be activated, which may result in herpes zoster.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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How long is the incubation period for herpes zoster?

Shingles is a common dermatological disease primarily caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Shingles has an incubation period, but the duration is uncertain, generally ranging from 3 to 20 days. The reason the incubation period for shingles is variable is that after being infected with the varicella-zoster virus, it accumulates in the nerves of the spinal cord and does not exhibit any symptoms physiologically. The virus only begins to proliferate rapidly and triggers the disease when the body's resistance decreases, or in the event of an infection, a cold, or fatigue.