Is herpes simplex virus contagious?

Herpes zoster, also known as shingles, is a relatively dangerous and highly contagious skin disease. Therefore, once you have shingles, you need to be extremely careful and take good care of yourself to avoid infecting others. In addition, herpes zoster can also be prevented through certain methods. Below, we will introduce in detail the prevention and care methods of shingles for your reference!

1. Shingles can also be contagious, so be careful!

We all know that chickenpox can be transmitted through the respiratory tract, is highly contagious, and usually requires isolation. Shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same virus, the varicella-zoster virus.

When we were infected with the varicella-zoster virus as children, we developed erythema, papules, and blisters on the head, face, trunk, and limbs, which is chickenpox. With or without treatment, after the rash heals, the virus lurks in the nerve roots. When the body's resistance decreases, the virus will come out of the nerve roots and invade the skin and nerves on one side of the body, manifesting as erythema and blisters on one side of the body, accompanied by neuralgia, which is shingles.

Shingles is far less contagious than chickenpox, but people who have not had chickenpox may get chickenpox if they have close contact with someone with shingles. We have seen many such cases, so we would like to remind every shingles patient not to have close contact with children who have not had chickenpox to avoid infecting the children.

2. How to prevent shingles?

1. Avoid viruses that may cause chickenpox. The chickenpox vaccine is one of the causes of shingles.

2. Try to avoid contact with people who have chickenpox or shingles. The pus in shingles is contagious. People who come into contact with the pus are likely to be infected with chickenpox (note, not shingles).

3. What are the nursing methods for patients with herpes zoster?

1. Pay attention to your diet: During treatment, pay attention to a reasonable diet, eat more light food, eat less greasy food, seafood and eggs, and try to eat less or no poultry.

2. Replenish water and nutrition: Pay attention to get enough rest in daily life to ensure that the body is replenished with enough water and nutrition.

3. Prevent infection: To prevent herpes from rupturing, do not rub the affected area to avoid bacterial infection.