Shingles
(Herpes Zoster)

Cause/Symptoms:

• Virus
  
• Reactivation of latent varicella (chickenpox) infection in the nerve endings
  
• Characterized by pain and a blistering rash usually localized to one area of the body
  

Transmission:

• It is only possible to get chickenpox from someone with shingles through direct contact with vesicle fluid of the patient with shingles
  

Incubation:

• 2 to 3 weeks; commonly 14 to 16 days
  

Period of Communicability:

• Until blisters are crusted over
  

Your child can return to care once all the following criteria has been meet:

• 48 hrs after all blisters have crusted over
  
• Your child is eating and drinking
  
• Your child can participate in all daycare activities
  
• Your child is no longer contagious
  

The length of time your child is required to remain home will vary,
depending on how long they are contagious for and how long it takes all the blisters to crust over.