Is shingles contagus i work with mental handicap people and one of them has it but the spots are dry i had chicken poks and how does one get them?

Shingles: Varicella zoster or shingles is caused by a reactivation of the chicken pox virus causing a breakout on the skin in a dermatomal distribution. The chicken pox virus is present in the fluid inside the shingles blisters. This could cause chicken pox infection in someone who has not had it before. You cannot catch the shingles from someone but should take universal precautions anyway.

See below.: Shingles is contagious by direct contact or less likely by aerosolization. Those who have not had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine are at risk of catching chickenpox. If lesions are healed they are no longer infectious. Simply covering the wound ( clothing or dressing) and contact precautions should be adequate. Heath care workers should be vaccinated against this disease.