I have 3 grandchildren 15 months and 8 months. They have not had their chicken pox vaccine. My shingles are only on my rib cage and back. I am taking 2 medications Prednisone & Valacyclovir. Is it Ok for me to be with the babies since they have not ha

Hello Anon
Thank you for writing.
It's probably safe but we can't say for sure. The virus that causes shingles, the varicella zoster virus, can be spread from a person with active shingles to another person who has never had chickenpox. In such cases, the person exposed to the virus might develop chickenpox, but they would not develop shingles.

The virus is spread through direct contact with fluid from the rash blisters caused by shingles.

A person with active shingles can spread the virus when the rash is in the blister-phase. A person is not infectious before the blisters appear. Once the rash has developed crusts, the person is no longer contagious.

Shingles is less contagious than chickenpox and the risk of a person with shingles spreading the virus is low if the rash is covered.

Make sure the babies' parents know and let them decide for themselves.

I hope you feel better soon!
Susan