Shingles is also contagious when you wear a mask and can be passed on to family members, especially the immune-compromised elderly and infants. Herpes zoster is a viral skin disease, and the pathogen is varicella-zoster virus. When shingles strikes, the blisters contain the virus, which can be transmitted through direct or indirect skin contact. It is possible to be infected by touching the affected area of the patient’s skin, touching the patient’s clothing, towels and other items. It can also be spread through droplets. So even if you wear a mask, you can be infected by contact. Most young children who are infected with the varicella-zoster virus develop chickenpox, while most adults who are infected develop shingles. Most people with shingles are infected with the virus by someone with chickenpox, and the virus lurks in the nerve roots for a long time and strikes when the immune system is weakened. Prolonged late nights, emotional tension and depression, love of spicy and stimulating food or love of alcohol can easily trigger an attack of shingles. When herpes symptoms appear, you should go to the hospital in time for treatment to avoid causing cross-infection.