impetigo is not due to a virus. it is due to a bacteria either strep staph or both. this is why it is treated with antibiotics either topical (creams or ointments) or orally like penicillin tablets. impetigo is contagious by both direct and indirect contact (surfaces contaminated with the bacteria) to a person who is susceptible. unlike highly contagious diseases like chicken pox (varicella) impetigo does not spread through the air or through sneezing. an exposed person will not necessary catch it but they can especially if you have an open area of your skin use the same towel etc. your room-mate has a responsibility to you and others to keep the impetigo covered and use (at least) a topical antibiotic ointment or cream until it is healed. for you keep your hands clean and avoid touching your own mouth or nose -- two favorite places that it likes to live. however impetigo - those honey-crusted oozing sores -- can occur anywhere on your skin surface.
is impetigo highly contagious? . my roomate has had impetigo for her whole life. she told me it's not that contagious and that i can only get it if i have a cut and she were to touch it. i wasn't convinced so i looked it up and apparently it is highly contagious. i've been at school for over a month and she just developed the rash in and underneath her nose like she apparently does every year (due to bacteria from the strep virus). are there ways for me to prevent getting this virus even though im constantly exposed to it?