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Can I go to work with shingles? How to know if you have it and whether it’s contagious

Shingles is just a flare-up of an old chicken pox virus living dormant inside of the body

It is currently the season for chickenpox, with spring often bringing a bout of the virus.

Shingles presents very similarly to chickenpox, however the two illnesses are slightly different, despite the fact they stem from the same virus.

You cannot catch shingles from someone with chickenpox, however you can spread chickenpox if you are infected with shingles.

For this reason, it’s important to remain vigilant if you suspect you’ve come down with shingles.

Symptoms of shingles rash

Shingles is just a flare up of an old chicken pox virus living dormant inside of the body.

When you get chicken pox the virus remains and can be triggered years after initial infection if your immune system is weak. This process can cause shingles, which often appears as a burning red rash, blisters, temperature and headache.

According to the NHS, the main symptoms include:

  • a tingling or painful feeling in an area of skin
  • a headache or feeling generally unwell
  • a rash that appears after a few days (usually on the chest or tummy – but can spread all over the body and face)

More from Health

Is shingles contagious?

Shingles is contagious for as long as the rash is weeping.

According to the NHS, you should stay away from certain groups of people if you’re currently suffering with shingles.

Although you cannot spread shingles itself, people who have not had chickenpox before could catch chickenpox off of you. This is because shingles is caused by the chickenpox virus.

The NHS advice that you avoid:

  • pregnant people who have not had chickenpox before
  • people with a weakened immune system – like someone having chemotherapy
  • babies less than one month old – unless you gave birth to them, as your baby should be protected from the virus by your immune system

Can I go to work with shingles?

The NHS suggest that you should stay off work if the rash is oozing fluid and cannot be covered. It’s best to wait until the rash has dried out.

The shingles infection can only spread to other people if the wounds or rashes are weeping – so it’s important to cover the rash with loose clothing or a non-sticky dressing.

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