Can shingles be transmitted to others?
Disease description:
This afternoon, I noticed several blisters appearing on my arm; my doctor diagnosed it as herpes zoster. Is herpes zoster contagious to others?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Wan
Herpes zoster (shingles) is caused by infection with the varicella-zoster virus and is somewhat contagious. Whether it spreads to others depends on specific circumstances. Individuals who have previously had herpes zoster develop lifelong antibodies in their bodies and are generally not susceptible to reinfection. However, individuals who have never had herpes zoster lack these antibodies and may therefore become infected.
