<s>[INST] If there is a charge, please delete my question. I was diagnosed with shingles last Wednesday. The doctor told I am contagious. For how long will I be contagious? Can I go to the grocery store as I feel better today or am I putting people at risk? [/INST] Welcome to Chat Doctor. I went through the history you have provided here. It seems from the history that you are having shingles. Shingles is usually less infective than chicken pox. Shingles is contagious during acute phase where the shingles lesions are oozing with pus. Once the crust formation occurs shingles will not be contagious. Hope this information is helpful. Do write back to me for further questions. Thank you </s>