Shingles News and Research

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Shingles (herpes zoster) is an outbreak of rash or blisters on the skin that is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox — the varicella-zoster virus. The first sign of shingles is often burning or tingling pain, or sometimes numbness or itch, in one particular location on only one side of the body.

FAU researchers highlight new vaccination barriers

Vaccines to prevent common and serious infectious diseases have had a greater impact on improving human health than any other medical advance of the 20th century, surpassing even sanitation and potable water. From the global eradication of smallpox in 1980 to the unprecedented development of effective and safe mRNA vaccines for COVID-19, vaccinations have played crucial roles in preventing millions of premature deaths and hospitalizations in adults and children.

8 Oct 2024

A faster, cheaper method to detect immune autoantibodies in whole blood

Researchers developed a quick and affordable whole-blood assay to detect autoantibodies against type I IFNs, enabling rapid diagnostics for immune disorders. This new method has potential clinical impact by addressing key limitations of current tests.

25 Sep 2024

Study highlights limited evidence for antidepressants in treating pain in older adults

University of Sydney research has found people over 65 are being prescribed antidepressants as pain treatment based on international guidelines that use limited evidence.

16 Sep 2024

Evolution of vaccine adjuvants from empirical discovery to rational design

Vaccine adjuvants have evolved significantly since their inception, transitioning from empirical discovery to a more structured approach grounded in rational drug design.

13 Sep 2024

As record heat sweeps the us, some people must choose between food and energy bills

During the heat dome that blanketed much of the Southeast in June, Stacey Freeman used window units to cool her poorly insulated mobile home in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Over the winter, the 44-year-old mom relied on space heaters.

6 Sep 2024

APOE ε4 carrier status increases the long-term cognitive decline risk associated with herpes zoster

The long-term subjective cognitive decline risk associated with Herpes zoster infections.

19 Aug 2024

Recombinant shingles vaccine linked to lower dementia risk, especially in women

Study published in Nature Medicine found that the recombinant shingles vaccine is linked to a reduced risk of dementia. This protective effect was particularly notable in females, suggesting a potential advantage of the recombinant vaccine over the live vaccine.

7 Aug 2024

Recombinant shingles vaccination found to lower dementia risk

The effects of recombinant shingles vaccines on dementia.

25 Jul 2024

Harnessing pharmacists' expertise to treat minor illnesses could save millions in health care costs

Greater use of pharmacists to treat minor illnesses could potentially save millions of dollars in health care costs, according to new research led by Washington State University.

28 May 2024

Inflation Reduction Act boosts shingles vaccine uptake by 46% for Medicare Part D recipients

Among the aims of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is reducing health care costs for older adults by eliminating cost sharing for certain drugs and vaccines covered by Medicare Part D.

23 May 2024

The path to a better tuberculosis vaccine runs through Montana

A team of Montana researchers is playing a key role in the development of a more effective vaccine against tuberculosis, an infectious disease that has killed more people than any other.

18 Apr 2024

Researchers receive £2.4 million to generate evidence on the new NHS Pharmacy First service

Researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) have been awarded £2.4m by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to generate evidence on the new National Health Service (NHS) Pharmacy First service.

6 Feb 2024

New study opens unprecedented opportunities for bioengineering vaccine adjuvants

A valuable molecule sourced from the soapbark tree and used as a key ingredient in vaccines, has been replicated in an alternative plant host for the first time, opening unprecedented opportunities for the vaccine industry.

26 Jan 2024

Herpes zoster vaccination and healthy aging: Study connect the dots

Vaccination with recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) prevents Herpes Zoster (HZ) infection.

30 Nov 2023

GOP presidential hopefuls use Trump’s covid record to court vaccine skeptics

Former President Donald Trump often seems proud to advertise his administration's record on speedily developing covid-19 vaccines.

29 Nov 2023

Live shingles vaccine highly effective in the first year after vaccination and then wanes substantially

The effectiveness of live zoster (shingles) vaccine is highest in the first year after vaccination and then wanes substantially.

8 Nov 2023

Pharmacists can play key role in boosting HPV vaccination rates

HPV, or human papillomavirus, is the most common sexually transmitted infection. It is also the leading cause of cervical cancer.

3 Oct 2023

Prior vaccinations may help protect against Alzheimer's disease

Prior vaccination against tetanus and diphtheria, with or without pertussis (Tdap/Td); herpes zoster (HZ), better known as shingles; and pneumococcus are all associated with a reduced risk for developing Alzheimer's disease, according to new research from UTHealth Houston.

16 Aug 2023

Global efforts to reduce infectious diseases must include older children and adolescents

Global efforts to reduce infectious disease rates must have a greater focus on older children and adolescents after a shift in disease burden onto this demographic, according to a new study.

4 Jul 2023

Space travel weakens immune system by altering gene expression in white blood cells

Evidence is mounting that astronauts are more susceptible to infections while in space. For example, astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS) commonly suffer from skin rashes, as well as respiratory and non-respiratory diseases.

24 Jun 2023