Is shingles on the face contagious?

Varicella (“chickenpox“), the initial infection caused by the varicella virus, is highly contagious and is transmitted “aerogenously”, i.e. by breathing in droplets containing the virus, which an infected person spreads, for example by coughing. Smear infections caused by contact with the contents of the vesicles containing the virus are also possible. However, the risk of infection with shingles (herpes zoster) is lower.

It is not transmitted aerogenously, but only by a smear infection, i.e. only on contact with the infectious fluid from the zoster blisters. This is because it contains the viruses. In this way, non-immunized children or even adults (i.e. people who have not previously come into contact with the virus) can become infected with the varicella zoster virus and fall ill with the primary infection, “chickenpox“. It is not possible to suffer from shingles directly after infection because shingles always precedes the primary infection “chickenpox“. Persons who have already been infected with the Varicella zoster virus, i.e. who have had chickenpox, or who have been vaccinated against it, usually have enough antibodies to ward off the virus.

How dangerous can shingles on the face become?

The shingles occurs mainly on the trunk. Although it is painful and unpleasant here, it is rarely accompanied by complications. On the face, on the other hand, sensitive and important structures can be affected and damaged.

The nerve that is frequently affected by shingles in the face is the trigeminal nerve. The eye can also be affected. As a result, there can be scarring of the cornea, which can reduce vision to varying degrees.If the inflammation moves towards the ear, the probability that the facial nerve is affected by the inflammation increases.

This nerve supplies a large part of the facial muscles. A dangerous complication of an inflammation of this nerve is the permanent hemiplegia of the facial muscles. This could also interest you: Zoster oticus