ConsumerAffairs: Shingles infection may raise the risk of cognitive decline in older adults Scientists believe inflammation and damage to blood vessels caused by the virus may affect the brain. Studies also show that preventing shingles with vaccination may lower the risk of dementia later ... Shingles infection may raise the risk of cognitive decline in older adults It’s a rite of passage — or probably should be — for adults upon reaching 50 years of age: getting vaccinated for shingles.

Understanding the Context

Currently, the two-dose Shingrix vaccine, which is the only shingles vaccine ... Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. Shingles can occur anywhere on your body. It typically looks like a single stripe of blisters that wraps around the left side or the right side of your torso.

Key Insights

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you've had chickenpox, the virus stays in your body for the rest of your life ... There's no cure for shingles. Early treatment with prescription antiviral drugs may speed healing and lower your risk of complications. These drugs include: Acyclovir (Zovirax) Famciclovir Valacyclovir (Valtrex) Shingles can cause severe pain, so your health care provider also may prescribe: Capsaicin topical patch (Qutenza) Anticonvulsants, such as gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise, Horizant ...

Final Thoughts

If you had a Zostavax vaccine, you should still get Shingrix. Some people get shingles even with the vaccine. But the vaccine may reduce how bad shingles is and how long it lasts. The vaccine also can lower the risk of a shingles complication that causes shingles pain to go on long after the blisters have cleared. This is called postherpetic ... Shingles Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.

Last updated on . Care notes Aftercare Ambulatory Discharge Español Overview Symptoms Risks Diagnosis Treatment Prevention What is shingles? Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus.