How do you get shingles virus?

She can examine you and figure out whether you have shingles. Double the Trouble. The virus that gets the blame for both conditions is varicella zoster. When it gets into your body, the first problem it causes is chickenpox, also called varicella. You may think of it as a childhood disease, but adults can get it, too. read more

Shingles causes open, oozing blisters, and the varicella-zoster virus can spread through contact with unscabbed shingles blisters. If you haven’t had chickenpox, you can get the varicella-zoster virus from contact with someone else’s oozing shingles blisters. This could lead to chickenpox. read more

Shingles is less contagious than chickenpox and the risk of a person with shingles spreading the virus is low if the rash is covered. If you have shingles, you should: Cover the rash. Avoid touching or scratching the rash. Wash your hands often to prevent the spread of varicella zoster virus. read more