How long does it take for shingles to no longer be contagious?
Disease description:
Recently, I suddenly developed many papules on my body, sometimes accompanied by pain and itching. The doctor diagnosed it as herpes zoster. How long does it take before herpes zoster is no longer contagious?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
The contagious period of shingles varies depending on the severity of the patient's condition. Generally, the infectious period lasts from 7 to 14 days after the onset of symptoms. If the patient's condition is mild and they actively follow medical treatment, the virus typically no longer exists on the skin surface within 7–10 days after symptom onset, as the blisters dry up and crust over, and the contagiousness gradually disappears. For patients with more severe symptoms, a longer period may be required—ranging from two to three weeks or even longer—until the condition is under control and all blisters have fully crusted over, after which the patient is no longer contagious. Therefore, it is not possible to provide a precise and uniform end time for the contagious period; the specific determination must be made according to each individual patient's condition.
