Best general physicians near me Is shingles cantagious The virus that causes Shingles is already present in the body from when you are infected with chickenpox. It goes dormant until reactivated. hence, you cannot pass it on to another. However, it could infect another if there haven't had chicken pox or arent protected against it. The virus could be transmitted if the person comes into direct contact with the blisters of some one with Shingles to develop chickenpox.