Question

Barbara is worried about spending time with her grandchildren while being treated for shingles. Can her grandchildren contract chickenpox or shingles from spending time with their grandmother?

Yes. Because they are young, the grandchildren are susceptible to both chickenpox and shingles.
Yes. The grandchildren are susceptible because they do not have natural immunity against chickenpox or shingles.
No. Because of their ages, the grandchildren have most likely been vaccinated against the chickenpox. They are also safe from contracting shingles because they are young.
No. The children are safe from contracting the virus because Barbara is not contagious.

Answer 1

Barbara's grandchildren are at risk of contracting chickenpox if they haven't been vaccinated or previously infected; shingles is less likely, but still possible if they catch chickenpox from her.

Step-by-step explanation:

Barbara's grandchildren could potentially contract chickenpox from spending time with their grandmother if they have never had the disease or been vaccinated against it. While it is less common for young children to develop shingles, the virus that causes chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus, can be spread from a person with shingles to someone who has never had chickenpox or received the chickenpox vaccine, leading to a chickenpox infection.

Since shingles typically arises from the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus in a person who has previously had chickenpox, children who have been vaccinated or have already had chickenpox are generally at low risk for developing shingles.

However, if Barbara's grandchildren have not been vaccinated or previously infected, they are at risk for chickenpox. The contagious period for shingles is when the rash is in the blister phase. Once the rash crusts over, the person is no longer contagious.

Moreover, today, most children receive the chickenpox vaccine, which greatly reduces the chance of contracting the virus. Nonetheless, Barbara should take precautions, especially if her rash is not covered, and consult with her healthcare provider for guidance to ensure the safety of her grandchildren during her treatment for shingles.