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The shingles vaccine may reduce the risk of dementia

economist.com

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Re: The shingles vaccine may reduce the risk of dementia

#71

Post by tptacek »

Jolter wrote: post #67
tptacek wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No! The opposite thing is true. Getting chickenpox as a kid drastically increases your likelihood of getting shingles as an adult. The initial chickenpox infection is the mechanism by which you're set up for shingles: you get it, fight it back, and it remains dormant in your nerves. Shingles is not simply chickenpox; it's the secondary infection you get from a resurgent zoster outbreak based in your nerves. Don't get…

Well, now… I can tell you second hand that catching chicken pox as an adult is no picnic either.

No it is not. Ranked list of outcomes:

1. Not getting chickenpox at all. Highly desirable.

2. Getting chickenpox as a kid.

3. Getting chickenpox as an adult.

Re: The shingles vaccine may reduce the risk of dementia

#74

Post by hereme888 »

hobo123 wrote: post #60
hereme888 wrote: post #10

Replicated association, which is strong, but not proof. Initial study saw a 3.5% absolute reduction in dementia diagnoses over seven years with a very wide confidence interval. In Australia the study was replicated with 1.8% absolute reduction over 7.4 yrs. Canadian replication: 2% over 5.5 yrs. Infections generally increase the risk of future dementia. Like the more colds you have throughout life.

I wonder if infections do not cause more dementia, but are simply correlated with more. A weaker immune system may trigger many many things. And similar questions about obesity "causing" many diseases, sunburns causing skin cancer (although that sounds somewhat plausible) etc.

The shingles virus hides in the nervous system and can come back out when immune control weakens. It causes inflammation and nerve injury, sometimes severe enough to leave people with chronic pain. From there, it’s reasonable to theorize that it could also affect the brain and even its glymphatic system over time.

Re: The shingles vaccine may reduce the risk of dementia

#75

Post by tptacek »

sarchertech wrote: post #73
tptacek wrote: post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes. I really want this vaccine.

Have you tried asking your PCP?

I'm pretty confident I could talk my PCP into it! I'm just wondering if there is some easier retail way to do it.

Re: The shingles vaccine may reduce the risk of dementia

#76

Post by jliptzin »

syntaxing wrote: post #23

I know quite a few people who got shingles in their early 20s. One of their doctors didn’t believe she had shingles until the blisters formed. The vaccine can definitely help those younger than 50, dementia benefits or not. Some of them have permanent nerve damage after getting shingles.

My brother had it when he was 17

Re: The shingles vaccine may reduce the risk of dementia

#77

Post by scrollop »

robot_jesus wrote: post #5

I'm in my 40s with genetic predisposition for Alzheimer's. Been seriously considering the past year or two paying out of pocket for Shingrix. I think it would be ~$500 total for two doses. Sure, I could wait 7 or 8 years until I qualify via insurance, but is that really worth the risk for what is an easily absorbed cost to me? Especially when I have a friend in her late 30s who just went through a very rough bout of…

There were a few studies around 2022 showing the influenza vaccines and pneumoccocal vaccines reduce alzheimers (influenza by up to a whopping 40%!).

I tell me patients this to increase uptake, so we can reduce alzheimer's prevalence.

(I'm a doctor)

Re: The shingles vaccine may reduce the risk of dementia

#78

Post by subscribed »

jyounker wrote: post #52
copperx wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Shingles terrifies me because it can cause hearing loss. I spoke to my GP and he wouldn't give me a script for it even though I'm 3 years away from qualifying. He mentioned side effects.

That seems like being penny wise and pound foolish.

Looks like the GP is in the UK.

I tried to go private (also not 50), but everyone just refused. Pharmacy, GP, private GP.

Currently I'm arranging it in the third country because WTAF.

(UK becoming the dirtiest and sickest country of Europe one more time)

Re: The shingles vaccine may reduce the risk of dementia

#79

Post by ferongr »

satya71 wrote: post #4

TL;DR Shingles vaccines reduces chances of dementia by 20%. Yet, most countries health systems only look at the upfront cost of ~$300 and don’t recommend for all who could benefit.

Dementia largely affects people on a pension, and not working adults contributing to the pyramid scheme.

Re: The shingles vaccine may reduce the risk of dementia

#80

Post by bitwize »

copperx wrote: post #17
robot_jesus wrote: post #5

I'm in my 40s with genetic predisposition for Alzheimer's. Been seriously considering the past year or two paying out of pocket for Shingrix. I think it would be ~$500 total for two doses. Sure, I could wait 7 or 8 years until I qualify via insurance, but is that really worth the risk for what is an easily absorbed cost to me? Especially when I have a friend in her late 30s who just went through a very rough bout of…

Shingles terrifies me because it can cause hearing loss. I spoke to my GP and he wouldn't give me a script for it even though I'm 3 years away from qualifying. He mentioned side effects.

My A1C popped high, so I could get Shingrix 2 years before the nominal minimum age, paid for by insurance, on the technicality of having a T2D diagnosis. My blood sugar is much more under control now, but that's a nice little side benefit I won't hesitate to take advantage of. The most severe side effect for me was long term muscle pain near the injection site (even now 10 months after I got the shot). But it's totally worth it because the pain of shingles is far, far worse as I understand it.
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