Chickenpox infection is a once in a lifetime condition. It rarely occurs twice in a single individual. However, the chicken pox causing virus remains in the body, but in an inactive state forever. If the virus happens to reactivate in the future, it develops as shingles or herpes zoster rather than as a second chickenpox attack.
But is shingles contagious? Unlike chickenpox, shingles are not contagious but a varicella-zoster virus is contagious. This will only happen if a kid who has never had chickenpox before comes in contact with the body fluid of an infected person. An adult who has had no chicken pox vaccination can also contract the virus from an infected person. All other individuals who have had chickenpox before cannot contract it again from an infected person as they have already had the virus.

Stages of shingles

Shingles develop in a series of stages. The period varies from one individual to the other, but there are some commonalities in the major stages of shingle infection. The main stages of shingles are:

Pre-stage:

This is the stage before the rash appears. Generally, a person will develop or experience the following:

• Burning sensation
  
  
• Tingling and numbness
  
  
• Itching
  
  
• Redness of the skin surface.

These signs can develop on any part of the body but mostly appear on the abdomen, legs, and arms. The person might also have some flu-related symptoms like:

• Nausea
  
  
• Chills
  
  
• Diarrhea
  
  
• Swollen lymph nodes.

It is advisable to seek medical help if any of these signs are present.

The active stage:

This is the stage when the rash shows up. At this stage, most patients wonder how long do shingles last because they are always looking forward to the end of this stage. The pain and discomfort is not something anyone would like to have even for the shortest time.

• The rash and fluid-filled blisters appear on the skin in a clustered design on one side of the body 3-4 days after the initial stage. They might also appear as a patch or a girdle.
  
  
• The clear fluid inside the blisters can turn cloudy in the next 3-5 days before breaking open.
  
  
• The open sores then dry and heal by themselves in the next 2-4 weeks to form crusty scabs.

Post-stage:

At the end of the active stage, the shingle rashes and blisters break open. They will eventually dry out, but the best part is that there are no scars left behind. Even after the blisters dry, there are incidences when the skin remains sensitive to light and there might be some itching sensation.
This stage can last for up to one year depending on the severity of the disease and the effects it had on the nerves. If not severe, the nerves will return to normal within three months.
If, after the shingles dry out, the pain sensation lasts more than three months, it is advisable to see a doctor for further medical advice.

Shingles complication stage:

After a shingle infection, many complications can develop. These greatly depend on how severe the shingles were as well as the person's overall health condition. The main complications are basically associated with the damage caused by the disease on the nerve endings. These complications make the subject on how long does shingles last a contentious issue. These complications can either be:

• Difficulty in concentrating
  
  
• Lack of appetite
  
  
• Fatigue
  
  
• Postherpetic neuralgia: this manifests itself through painful and itching sensations that last for more than three months.
  
  
• Depression due to constant worry and anxiety associated with the painful, itching sensations.

Tips for treating shingles

Many patients worry about how long does shingles last. You can learn about the timeline for its main stages. Although shingles have no treatment, you can employ the following strategies to ease the pain associated with the disease.

• A cool compress:
  This involves dipping a piece of cloth in cold water and wringing out the water. After this, wrap the wet cloth around the blistered area. This helps to keep the place cool, which reduces sensitivity on the skin.
  
  
• Oatmeal bath:
  An infected person can take a healing oatmeal bath. This involves adding 1 or 2 cups of colloidal oatmeal into lukewarm water. After the oatmeal solution is ready, the person should soak for 15-20 minutes. After this, rinse the body dry. Do not use hot water because it can cause painful sessions.

• Loose clothing:
  The tight cloth will compress the skin and make the sores painful. To prevent this, wear loose cloth to avoid irritating the skin.
  
  
• Healthy diet:
  A shingle rash attack is mostly associated with a weakened immune system. A healthy diet that is optimized on building the immune system is preferred. This diet can comprise of foods rich in vitamins especially vitamin C, A, B-12, and E. The specific foodstuffs to take are oranges, whole grains, legumes, red meat, chicken, fish, tomatoes, and spinach. Avoid highly refined carbohydrates, saturated fat-rich foods, and sugary foods.

If this doesn't work, go to the doctor for further help. The doctor can prescribe antiviral drugs, painkillers, or other pain soothing creams. There are other customized strategies you can get from a doctor that will help you deal with the shingle infection.

Virus Contagious

Although shingles will heal by themselves, medications will definitely ease the discomfort associated with shingles. A person who has shingles is infectious and can transmit the varicella-zoster virus to unprotected persons who come in contact with the fluid.
The contiguity remains as long as the blisters have not dried up. An important point to note here is that the virus cannot be passed on to a person who had chickenpox. As such the groups of people who are at risk of getting the varicella-zoster virus from an infected person are the kids and adults who have never had a chicken pox vaccine.
So, for those wondering about the shingles contagious status should understand that the same virus causes shingles and chickenpox. An active shingle can pass the varicella virus to another person and cause chickenpox but not shingles.

Shingles should not cause alarm

Shingles are not contagious, but the virus is contagious. It is not a chronic disease and will clear on its own over time. There are home remedies that have been proven effective like the use of cold compresses as well as an oatmeal bath. If you are still worried about your shingles or if your condition does not improve, consult a doctor. The doctor can offer relevant advice on how to treat the shingles.