Can a Child Be Around Someone Who Has Shingles?

Shingles (herpes zoster) is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). During an active rash, a person experiencing shingles is contagious. This means that he can infect others with VZV, so a child who has never had chickenpox can contract VZV at this time.

Rash

• Once a person contracts VZV, the infection never fully clears and can become active again later, leading to shingles. Shingles causes a rash with blisters as well as pain along the path of the nerve in which it has become active again.

Rash Effects

• Close contact with the rash caused by shingles can lead to infection with VZV, according to the Mayo Clinic. A child who contracts VZV from a shingles rash will develop chickenpox, not shingles.

Immunity

• It is not possible to pass VZV to someone who has already had chickenpox, according to the Mayo Clinic. This is because immunity to the virus develops after initial infection.

Pregnant Women

• Pregnant women who have never had chickenpox should also avoid contact with people who have shingles. This is because the child of a woman who has shingles during pregnancy can develop birth defects ranging from scarring to mental retardation, according to the March of Dimes.

Vaccine Rash

• Adults who are vaccinated for shingles may develop a rash as a result. This rash has not been shown to be infectious, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends covering this rash.