Shingles should i be at work

The virus can lie dormant in the body for several years but may reappear following reactivation of the virus as shingles, a disease that occurs more often in adults. It is not known what causes the virus to reactivate. Chickenpox is transmitted through direct person-to-person contact and airborne droplet infection e. The incubation period is about 10 to 21 days, however the most infectious period is from one to two days before the rash appears but a person will continue to be infectious until all the lesions have crusted over commonly about five to six days after the onset of the illness.

Chickenpox in healthy children is usually a mild illness with no complications; however adults, pregnant women and those whose immune systems are compromised due to illness or treatments e. The only way to get shingles is if you have had chickenpox at some time yourself.

To prevent the virus from being transmitted, keep shingles rashes covered. Cover the rash from when the blisters appear to when they crust and scab over. According to the CDC , this usually takes 7 to 10 days. The varicella-zoster virus is typically less likely to be transmitted with shingles than with chickenpox. However, the varicella-zoster virus can be passed on from the time that your symptoms start until your rash and blisters have crusted dry. If you have shingles and are otherwise healthy, you can still go out in public or to work.

But be sure to follow these tips:. Doctors recommend the chickenpox vaccine for children. Preventing chickenpox will also prevent shingles. For adults, a different vaccine is available to prevent shingles called Shingrix. The CDC recommends it for healthy adults who are 50 years and older. A doctor will give two doses, 2 to 6 months apart, as an injection in your arm. A double dose offers over 90 percent protection.

The protection level stays above 85 percent for at least 4 years. You can get the vaccine even if you:. A doctor can advise on this and other vaccines. Shingles is a rash that can affect people who have had chickenpox, even if they had it years ago.

It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The virus remains dormant in the body, but, in some cases, it can reactivate and cause shingles. The shingles rash is not contagious. But the virus can be passed on to another person through contact with the rash when blisters are present. Then, that person may get chickenpox. There is less chance of passing on the virus if the rash is covered, and transmission can only happen from the time blisters form to when they scab over.

Chickenpox can last 2 to 3 weeks, but what about shingles, its adult counterpart? Here's what you need to know. Shingles, or herpes zoster, occurs when the dormant chickenpox virus is reactivated in nerve tissues.

Early symptoms include tingling and pain. Shingles without a rash is uncommon, but it can occur. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one. Go to Your skin can be painful for weeks after the rash has gone, but it usually gets better over time. You cannot spread shingles to others. But people who have not had chickenpox before could catch chickenpox from you. Stay off work or school if the rash is still oozing fluid weeping and cannot be covered, or until the rash has dried out.

You can only spread the infection to other people while the rash oozes fluid. If you're pregnant and get shingles, there's no danger to your pregnancy or baby. Should an employee with shingles come to work? Advice for employees You might be asking yourself, ' can I go to work with shingles? How long do you stay off work with shingles? It's not unusual for employees to wonder how long to stay off work with shingles. Top Read Blogs Staying safe in warmer times April 26 Read more.

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