Symptoms

Severe pain, itching, and numbness along certain nerve pathways, commonly around the midline or on the face. About 1-3 days later a red rash appears. Soon after, clusters of blisters appear in crops, usually on one side of the body and closer together than chicken pox. Shingles usually occur in older adults but can occur in children, especially if the child had the chicken pox disease before 1 year of age.

Incubation Period

None (After a person has chickenpox, the virus can remain inactive in the body and later cause shingles)

Mode of Transmission & Communicability

The virus is spread by contact with fluid from the blisters. Communicable until 1 week after the blisters appear. When people who have not had the chicken pox are exposed to the shingles virus, they can develop chicken pox. Shingles do not spread from person to person.

School Action

1. If the sores can be completely covered by clothing or a bandage, no exclusion is needed. If the sores cannot be covered, exclude the child until the sores have crusted.

2. Ensure all school-aged children have had 2 varicella vaccines.