I Just Got Shingles. Can I Swim In The Ocean And Pool?

Don't worry about those other comments, they are completely wrong. Long story short, yes you can safely swim with shingles if it isn't scabbed and seeping fluids. Most people who develop shingles only develop the painful red rash, but a few also get it severe enough that it scabs up and seep fluids. Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus, better known for causing chickenpox. When infected with the chickenpox virus, some of the viroids inbed themselves in the infected person's nervous system. For some reason occasionally the virus becomes reactivated years later. Since its now in the nerves it produces some toxins that react directly with the nerves. This interaction causes the nerves to become irritated and inflamed leading to the extreme pain and rash.

Long story short, yes you can safely swim with shingles if it isn't scabbed and seeping fluids. Most people who develop shingles only develop the painful red rash, but a few also get it severe enough that it scabs up and seep fluids. Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus, better known for causing chickenpox. When infected with the chickenpox virus, some of the viroids inbed themselves in the infected person's nervous system. For some reason occasionally the virus becomes reactivated years later. Since its now in the nerves it produces some toxins that react directly with the nerves. This interaction causes the nerves to become irritated and inflamed leading to the extreme pain and rash.

I went swimming this week-end not knowing  that I had shingles. Did I contaminant the water. What do I do???

Long story short, yes you can safely swim with shingles if it isn't scabbed and seeping fluids. Most people who develop shingles will only develop the painful red rash, but a few also get it severe enough that it scabs up and seep fluids. Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus, better known for causing chickenpox. When infected with the chickenpox virus, some of the viroids inbed themselves in the infected person's nervous system. For some reason occasionally the virus becomes reactivated years later. Since its now in the nerves it produces some toxins that react directly with the nerves. This interaction causes the nerves to become irritated and inflamed leading to the extreme pain and rash.

No way, You can't go swimming if you have shingles.

No you can't

No. It's extremely unsanitary, plus, you may not be physically able.