My grandmother also got shingles in her 50's, and she stayed with us so my mother could take care of her. I got the herpes virus from her, but "luckily" I have only ever gotten cold sores on my mouth, and not shingles.
It's from chicken pox. If you have had chicken pox you can get shingles.
Also when I first got it the doc told me to stay away from pregnant women.