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Can shingles spread to other people?

You cannot catch shingles from someone else. However, the fluid in shingles blisters is infectious and can cause chickenpox in someone who has never had it (usually a child). 

 People with shingles should try to avoid: 

  • pregnant women who have not had chickenpox before  

  • people with a weakened immune system (for example, people having chemotherapy), and  

  • babies less than one month old – unless it's your own baby, as they should be protected from the virus by your immune system.