Shingles vaccines could lower dementia risk by a fifth: Study
Shingles vaccines could lower dementia risk by a fifth: Study
NEW DELHI: (Apr 2) A shingles vaccine could reduce risk of dementia by a fifth, with women likely to experience a stronger protection compared to men, according to a study.
Shingles, or 'herpes-zoster', is a viral infection marked by painful rashes. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox. Shingles can get reactivated in the body after one has already had chickenpox. A common complication is long-term nerve pain.
Researchers, led by Stanford University's School of Medicine, US, said that the findings support an emerging theory that viruses affecting the nervous system can increase one's risk of dementia -- an ageing-related condition that progressively impairs one's cognition, including memory and thinking.
