Can I Fly While Contagious with an Active Shingles Rash?

Understanding Shingles and Air Travel

Shingles is a viral infection causing a localized, often quite painful rash that can last several weeks. It develops when the dormant varicella-zoster virus reactivates in nerves, years after initial chickenpox infection in childhood. Stress, aging immune systems, and medical conditions like cancer or HIV can trigger shingles outbreaks.

With the severe nerve pain and visibility of shingles rashes, those affected often wonder if its safe for them to fly while contagious. Below well explore key considerations regarding air travel with shingles.

Is Shingles Contagious?

Yes, while the fluid-filled blisters are present, shingles can spread chickenpox to those whove never had it, namely unvaccinated children and immunocompromised people. Direct contact with active blisters or airborne virus particles spread infectious varicella-zoster.

However, since over 99% of Americans over age 40 have prior chickenpox exposure granting immunity, risks to healthy adults on planes are very low. Maintaining blister coverage and hand hygiene helps prevent viral transmission.

Can I Fly with an Active Shingles Rash?

There are no formal rules prohibiting air travel with shingles. But severely ill passengers can be denied boarding if deemed a health risk. Airlines request those with contagious rashes cover lesions, even considering reseating communicable diseases near lavatories to limit circulation among other passengers.

Assessing Severity Before Flying

Those struggling with severe shingles nerve pain, extensive rashes hindering personal care or mobility, open blisters, or other health issues making it hard to function in transit should consider postponing non-essential air travel during acute outbreaks. But mild cases can fly with proper precautions.

Coping In-Flight

While shingles generally wont prohibit air travel, taking a long flight while experiencing nerve pain and skin sensitivity could remain deeply uncomfortable. Bringing oral pain and anti-itch medications in carry-ons remains important for symptom management while flying.

Additionally, window seats where rashes can avoid contact with other passengers may be preferable to cramped middle seats for those self-conscious of visible shingles lesions.

Precautions to Prevent Shingles Spread While Flying

To avoid transmitting varicella-zoster virus on flights, infectious disease experts recommend individuals with active shingles rashes follow these guidelines when considering air travel:

• Cover rashes thoroughly with non-stick bandages to contain drainage/weeping fluid which spreads virus
• Wear loose-fitting clothing over lesions
• Wash hands frequently before touching aircraft surfaces to avoid contaminating communal areas
• Avoid traveling if experiencing severe medical complications like secondary skin infections of open blisters which require IV antibiotics
• Notify flight attendants of shingles diagnosis for special accommodations if needed

Can Shingles Itself Spread by Flying?

No, medically there is no evidence that simply being on an airplane can trigger shingles or directly spread varicella-zoster virus from one persons reactivated infection to another. Shingles results from prior chickenpox virus hiding dormant within ones own nerves, not from exposure to outside virus. Air travel cannot implant new virus.

However, factors associated with flying like stress, dehydration, irregular sleep and eating patterns can potentially strain immunity allowing opportunistic viral reactivations. Maintaining healthy routines when traveling remains wise.

Shingles Recovery and Return to Flying

Most shingles outbreaks resolve within 2-4 weeks, faster with prescription antiviral medications. Postherpetic neuralgia nerve pain can persist for months after rashes heal though.

Individuals are no longer contagious to others once all shingles blisters have crusted over and faded. At this skin-healing stage, it poses no transmission risk or airline restrictions for former sufferers to resume traveling.

Easing Post-Shingles Discomforts While Flying

From skin sensitivity to lingering nerve pain or fatigue, shingles can continue provoking discomfort after active outbreaks. Gentleness and accommodations help smooth post-shingles air travel.

Comfort Measures

• Opt for direct flights to minimize low air pressure pain from takeoffs/landings
• Request a wheelchair or scooter between gates if fatigued from walking long distances
• Bring a travel neck pillow, loose clothing and any medications needed to dull neuralgia
• Apply moisturizer and sun protection to help healed skin adjust to dry airplane air and radiation exposure

Seating Selection

Choosing roomier bulkhead seats or splurging on first class tickets allows more space to shift positions seeking relief from residual nerve discomfort in limbs once affected by shingles rashes.

Staying Healthy to Avoid Shingles Recurrence

Having shingles once does not guarantee immunity against potential repeat occurrences. About 1 in 3 people get it again post-outbreak. Supporting overall health through diet, exercise, stress reduction and appropriate vaccines can help keep viral reactivation at bay.

The one-time Shingrix vaccineprovides over 90% protection against shingles and its most common complication, postherpetic neuralgia. All adults over age 50, including those with prior shingles or existing medical conditions, should get this immunization.

Staying up to date on vaccines ensures you can keep happily traveling for years to come without shingles holding you back!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.