Is shingles contagious for adults?

Shingles, a skin rash caused by the reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox, is not contagious, according to WebMD. A person with shingles cannot spread shingles to another person, but he can spread the virus to a person who has never had chickenpox or been vaccinated against it.

The demographic most susceptible to shingles includes the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, according to WebMD. Most people who get shingles only get it once; however, repeat shingles flares can occur. The dormant virus that causes chickenpox causes shingles. Conditions such as stress, aging, certain medications and injury can reactivate the virus and cause shingles.