Vaccination against shingles may increase your chances of healthy aging and reduce your risk of dementia. The research was published in the journal Npj Vaccines.
Reactivation of the varicella zoster virus due to decreased immunity causes shingles, a painful condition that has a number of complications, including hearing loss, vision problems, and an increased risk of stroke and heart attack. More than one million cases of shingles are reported each year in the United States alone, with women more frequently affected. Vaccines can prevent this condition and its complications, which is critical considering the aging population due to life expectancy frenzy in many countries.
There are currently two shingles vaccines available: a live vaccine based on a weakened form of the virus and a recombinant two-dose vaccine. The latter is more effective for people with weakened immune systems, such as the elderly.
Studies have shown that shingles is associated with severe pain in the majority of patients; in one study, 15.8% of patients reported the worst pain they could imagine. The recombinant vaccine protects against the development of herpes zoster and significantly reduces the use of analgesics, pain severity and the risk of hospitalization in those who become ill. Some recent evidence suggests that the shingles vaccine may reduce the risk of dementia. Given this situation, the authors concluded that herpes zoster vaccination programs in adults are warranted.
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