A Single Episode Of Shingles Raises Cognitive Decline By 20%, Says Study

For prevention of shingles, adults aged 50 and older are recommended to take the Shingrix vaccine, the FDA-approved vaccination against shingles. (Credit: Image by Freepik)

Here's one more reason to get your shingles shot. The pains and troubles of shingles do not end with the episode, but the effects could be long-term, suggests a new study. Researchers have now found that an episode of shingles raises cognitive decline by 20%.

Shingles is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. It occurs when the dormant chickenpox virus reactivates in the body.