Can people with shingles get chickenpox?

My mother is 60 years old and has had shingles for 4 days now. There are many blisters on her neck and hands, which are painful and burning. Can the disease be transmitted to other family members because chickenpox and shingles are both caused by the same virus? (Huong Pham, 26 years old, Kien Giang)

Reply:

Shingles (herpes zoster) is an infection caused by reactivation of the latent varicella zoster virus from a previous chickenpox infection.

In people who have had chickenpox and recovered, the varicella virus is not completely eliminated, "sleeping" for life in cells and nerve ganglia in an inactive form. After a period of time, when favorable conditions such as a weakened immune system, a weakened body, or chronic underlying diseases occur, the virus will take the opportunity to attack the immune system, causing a relapse into shingles.

Shingles can cause serious complications such as nerve pain. Source: Philippine Dermatological Association

People who are not immune, who have never had chickenpox or been vaccinated against chickenpox, are at risk of getting the disease through direct contact with the rash and blisters of a person with shingles. Contact with saliva or nasal secretions from a person with shingles rarely causes the disease. These people should avoid direct contact with people with shingles.

The way to prevent chickenpox and shingles is to get vaccinated. Currently, Vietnam does not have a vaccine to prevent shingles, people can get vaccinated against chickenpox, which is also effective in preventing the disease.

The VNVC Vaccination Center system currently has 3 types of chickenpox vaccines, with an effectiveness of up to 89-98%, including: Varilrix (Belgium) for children from 9 months old and adults, Varivax (USA) and Varicella (Korea) for children from 12 months old and adults. The three types of vaccines have been proven to be safe and highly effective in preventing the disease.

Dr. Le Thi Truc Phuong
Vaccination Doctor, VNVC Vaccination System

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