Cause of chickenpox and shingles
The two conditions are initially transferred from one person to another. However, the major difference is that shingles occur when the varicella virus wakes up years after treating chickenpox.
Chickenpox
It is majorly caused by the virus varicella-zoster. You can get it through close contact with someone that has any of the two conditions. It is transferred via droplets, such as when coughing or sneezing. It can also spread if you touch a “pock” or skin lesion.
Chickenpox can be transferred from 1 to 2 days before the rash develops until after all the blisters have been scabbed.
Shingles
Shingles cannot be transferred from one person to another. The chances of getting chickenpox from someone with shingles are higher in people that have not been vaccinated. In shingles, the virus is not transferred via droplets. It can only be spread via close contact with the blister or rash. This is why doctors advise people to always keep the rash covered. It becomes non-contagious after the blisters develop a crust.