Should I be in isolation with shingles?

Hello gin319,

Basically, you cannot catch shingles from shingles. The herpes zoster virus will already have been in your body from having had chicken pox in earlier life. You can, however, infect someone who hasn't had chicken pox with chicken pox from the herpes zoster virus, but they would have to come in fairly close contact with any open blisters that you have. My GP's advice was that it's quite safe to be out and about after, say, the first 48 hours or so, but to keep any blisters covered.

It is, however, wise to keep clear of any new-born or young babies, which has been an issue for me as I've had four new grandchildren in the last 18 months, and probably anyone who has immunity issues - especially if they haven't had chicken pox.

A word of caution though: shingles is likely to seriously affect your energies and mood and trying to do too much is very definitely not a good idea. You can't fight the symptoms of shingles, so 'listen' very carefully to what your body is telling you. I would just feel my energies suddenly drain away and I had no option other than to stop and rest. It's a huge mistake to try and get on top of how you're feeling: it will only make matters worse and delay your recovery. Your body is fighting a pernicious viral infection and will be using all of your immune resources to do so.

Best wishes,

David 

There are a lot of misconceptions and ignorance about shingles. You do NOT need to be in isolation. You can only develop shingles if you've had chicken pox. If someone, as David mentioned like an infant, has never had chicken pox, if they are exposed to an open sore they could develop chicken pox. It is not airborne, it is not considered contagious. However, some people keep the rash covered because it's unsightly.

But remember the rash is just an outward manifestation of the virus, the real illness is in the body. You can have a serious case of shingles with no rash. Fatigue, headaches, and feeling lousy, are all part of shingles. These symptoms can last weeks. Also, some meds given to treat shingles can cause multiple side effects.

When were you diagnosed, and where was your rash?

Hi Gin,

David, USMC, and Babs have all given you an excellent knowledge base regarding Shingles. As stated by others, it is imperative to cover your rash, if possible, until all the vesicle-blisters have scabbed over. Once they have all scabbed over, you are no longer infectious. If the lesions are widespread on your face, then you should remain inside. If there are just two or three vesicle-blisters on your face, cover them with a band-aid. Then you may go out. If you can cover the vesicle-blisters completely with clothing, then you may go out.

If your partner has had chicken pox, then it would be safe to have sex.

I would avoid close intimate contact with newborns, pregnant women, individuals who never had chicken pox and are receiving radiation, chemotherapy or immunosuppressed. (Patients with Cancer, Patients with AIDs, HIV, HEP C, HEP B, Autoimmune Diseases)

Regarding activity, exhaustion and fatigue are symptoms that physicians neglect to inform Shingles patients about.

I would start with a mild exercise and see how you tolerate the exercise. Do not try to power through this disease as the virus is circulating through out your body. You didn't mention pain or the location of the rash or your age. It would be helpful for us to have that information.

I am a Nurse Practitioner in the States and have had Herpes Zoster-Shingles every three to five weeks in my right ear for the past twenty one years and twice in my right eye.

Best Wishes

Merry Juliana

Yes yes and yes. You aren't going to infect anyone. The real problem is having the energy to do anything and Shingles has a way of giving you depression. Don't try to push through Shingles. Give yourself time to get better. Once you get rid of the Shingles then you can go back to your routine. Good luck.

Thank you everyone, your words are very comforting and informative. I am 38 years old, male. I saw the blisters 2 days ago, but that was after I had intercourse with my partner. I'm certain that her skin didn't touch the blisters, and the blisters didn't burst open. But I was still afraid that she might catch the virus. I would never want her or anyone suffer from this.

Its a brutal virus that few understand. Even the doctors that I talked to said that I have to be isolated. Everyone's afraid to go near me, no one wants to visit. Battling loneliness and isolation takes its toll, that's why I'm so grateful to all your replies. I can now show this to my friends and family and assure them that they're safe around me. But more importantly, they'll have a better understanding of what I'm going through.

?I admire all of you for being able to fight the virus. I wish I'll be able to do the same and help those who will need comforting and the right information.

I'm only familiar with Shingles, which is Herpes Zoster. I'm not trying to be personal, but if it's genital herpes, I'm not sure if that's a different issue. Whatever you're comfortable with sharing, I understand. You  may want to send a private message to someone else if you have more questions about that.

Honestly, I can't imagine a doctor telling you that you have to be in isolation. Chicken pox, yes, shingles no.

I was diagnosed with shingles just yesterday. my rash is starting from my spine on left side and covering half of my stomach. Very painful. cannot find a comfortable position to sleep. I will start taking my antiviruls today. Hoping it will help to ease my pain. Shingles brought down my mood by several steps. I have a broken wrist from biking accident and still recovering. So my movements are already restricted. But i was trying to walk as much as possible. Now I am afraid if me pushing myself to walk during injury has caused the shingles.