Is Shingles Disease Contageous?
If you have already had the chicken pox, shingles disease is not contageous. Because both illnesses are caused by the same pathogen, Herpes Zoster, immunity from one works the same way as immunity from the other. In addition, while chicken pox can be transmitted by coughing and sneezing, shingles disease usually is not. Strangely enough, recurrent episodes of Herpes Zoster do not usually affect the lungs. Therefore, for the most part, someone with shingles disease cannot pass the illness along to anyone unless there is direct contact the rash or blisters.
