chances are if you have lived in the us for most of your life you have been exposed to chicken pox even if you didn't show symptoms. the virus remains dormant in your body and then reactivates as shingles - any more questions contact your local pharmacy. pharmacists are very educated on shingles and there is a vaccination for it as well which is recommended for anyone over 50. 1 out of 3 people will get shingles in their lifetime.
how is shingles contagious. when i saw my doctor about a small bump on my arm she said i had the shingles virus. i did not have a rash anywhere on my body. i never had chicken pox but did have measles as a child. i searched the web for an answer but they were confusing. one person said that shingles is contagious and another says that its not. i got a blood test and she said i had the virus. my question is if it is contagious how was it transmitted to me. she said i was exposed who had chicken pox when i was child. help.