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When will I be non contagious with CHICKENPOX on ACYCLOVIR?

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Hello, i have been diagnosed with chicken pox and am on the Prednisone and acyclovir medication.
the spots showed on Wed 4th, i was diagnosed and started meds on Thur. 5th. they spots are drying up.
I was told by the Dr. I can go back to work and travel after the 9th (mon) -as am no longer contagious. is this accurate info / time calculation?

Category: Infectious Disease Specialist

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Category: HIV- AIDS Specialist
 29 Doctors Online

Hello,
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com
I understand your concern.
The contagious period, where you can spread the infection starts around 2 days before the rash appear to the day till all the blisters have at least undergone crusting. So I recommend you wait a minimum of 7 days before resuming work. 9th will be too early. I don't know why your doctor said that, some doctors believe you can resume working within 5 days after the appearance of the rash. But 7 days minimum is recommended as the body also needs time to recover.
Hope this was helpful,
Regards


Patient replied :

thanks Doc. So what exact date would you say I can work and travel then - to be specific please? are you counting from the wed 4th rash showed up, or the 2 days before (2nd). If she counted 7 days from the 2nd - that's where she got 9th I guess. thanks for the detailed help to figure.


Hello,
No, I meant the contagious period starts 2 days before the appearance of the rash till all the blisters have crusted. So overall 9 days.
Meaning I advise you continue your daily activities after the 11th. By then the blisters would have crusted. Once the lesions crust, infective period ends.
Regards.


Patient replied :

ok understood. And how long before spots go away totally after crusting? any tips on that?


The spots may require up to 4 weeks to perish on an average.
You can expect all the spots to disappear within a month's time.
Regards.


Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy
Category: HIV- AIDS Specialist
Experience: 
MBBS from Sri Ramachandra University in December 2011
M.Med (Family Medicine) - TNMGR University, Chennai
MBA-MPH in Public Health in March 2016, SRM University
Finished AFIH in March 2016, SRM University
MRCP ( UK ), Internal Medicine, Royal College of Physicians, June 2016
Fellowship in Diabetology from Martin Luther University in January 2017

Currently Resident Physician, in MD Radiodiagnosis - Kamakshi Memorial Hospital, Chennai
Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy and 4 other Medical Specialists are ready to help you

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