Shingles contagious

Hi. I have a rash on my skin and my doctor told me I have shingles, or herpes zoster. It`s really itchy. I was prescribed with some antiviral drugs, to reduce the severity of an attack of shingles. I would like to know more about treatment and about the prognosis. I`m really worried because I have a child and I think shingles are contagious?

Hi. Yeah, shingles are contagious, you can pass the virus, if your child has never had chickenpox. However, the child will develop chickenpox, not shingles. Antiviral drugs, such as acyclovir, or famcyclovir, can be helpful. For treatment of painful after-effects of shingles you will probably be prescribed with steroids, antidepressants, anticonvulsants and topical agents. The lesions will heal within 3-5 weeks. The rash leave no scars.