How long does shingles last without a rash?
Healing of shingles without a rash under antiviral therapy takes similar time as in the case of shingles with a rash. The period from the onset of the first symptoms, such as fatigue, tiredness or fever, until the symptoms subside completely is usually 10 to 14 days, but in some cases it can take up to four weeks. This depends on the time of the beginning of the therapy, but also on the immune system of the individual patient. If no antiviral therapy is given, shingles can last longer than four weeks, especially in older patients, and the symptoms, especially pain, can become chronic.
Is shingles without a rash also contagious?
Shingles is considered a disease associated with a high risk of infection. In this disease, infection with the causative herpes zoster viruses occurs via the fluid in the typical vesicles. If, however, the rare case of shingles presents itself without a rash and the blisters are formed, the disease is therefore not contagious, as the viruses are limited in their spread to the nerves. Therefore, although it is a droplet infection, it cannot be infected via other body fluids such as saliva.
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