Systematic review and meta-analysis of herpes zoster risk in rheumatoid arthritis patients
Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Face Higher Shingles Risk Than General Public
This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized data on herpes zoster risk in rheumatoid arthritis patients. The pooled proportion of h…
People with rheumatoid arthritis have a much higher chance of getting shingles, and doctors must watch for specific risk factors like high s…
Valacyclovir No Better Than Placebo for Stromal Keratitis in Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus
Oral antivirals do not prevent eye inflammation in shingles patients
This secondary analysis of a randomized trial in 527 patients with herpes zoster ophthalmicus found that oral valacyclovir 1 g daily did not…
A study of 527 people with shingles eye infections found oral antivirals did not stop inflammation. Close monitoring and low-potency steroid…
GWAS and Mendelian randomization link aging, rheumatoid arthritis, and herpes zoster via shared MHC signals
Shared genetic link found for aging, arthritis, and shingles
This genomic analysis integrates genome-wide association studies, multi-omics quantitative trait loci, linkage disequilibrium-aware colocali…
A shared genetic signal may explain why aging, rheumatoid arthritis, and shingles often overlap.
Retrospective cohort identifies risk factors and predicts postherpetic neuralgia risk in patients with herpes zoster
New model predicts nerve pain risk following shingles outbreaks in patients
This retrospective cohort study evaluated 846 patients with herpes zoster to predict postherpetic neuralgia risk.
A new computer model predicts who will develop long-term nerve pain after shingles by spotting key risks like older age, diabetes, and sever…
Systematic review of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome highlights cranial nerve involvement patterns and prognostic factors
Review finds other nerves often affected in Ramsay Hunt Syndrome cases
This systematic review examined the epidemiology, clinical spectrum, and mechanisms of cranial nerve involvement in patients with Ramsay Hun…
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome often affects hearing and balance nerves alongside facial palsy, signaling more extensive disease and a poorer prognosi…
Survey reports shingles vaccination coverage among US adults aged 50 years or older
Survey examines shingles vaccination rates among US adults aged 50 and older
A US National Health Interview Survey report provides observational data on shingles vaccination coverage among adults aged 50 years or olde…
Health officials track shingles vaccination rates for adults aged 50 and older, but this survey report does not reveal the specific percenta…
ACIP Recommends Recombinant Zoster Vaccine for Immunocompromised Adults Aged 19+
Health Panel Recommends Shingles Vaccine for Adults with Weakened Immune Systems
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has issued a recommendation for the use of the Recombinant Zoster Vaccine (RZV) in…
U.S. health experts now recommend two doses of the shingles vaccine for adults with weakened immune systems to help prevent the painful cond…
Disseminated herpes zoster hospitalization linked to higher newly identified diabetes, prediabetes prevalence
Could a severe shingles infection signal hidden diabetes?
A retrospective cohort analysis of 564 hospitalized herpes zoster patients found disseminated presentation was associated with higher preval…
Widespread shingles could signal hidden diabetes, as severe cases show much higher rates of undiagnosed blood sugar issues than common rashe…
Immunocompromised herpes zoster patients with CNS infection show higher encephalitis incidence and worse prognosis
For shingles patients with brain infections, does a weakened immune system make things worse?
A retrospective cohort study of 166 herpes zoster patients with VZV-associated CNS infection found immunocompromised patients had significan…
Shingles patients with weakened immune systems face higher risks of severe brain inflammation and worse outcomes when treatment is delayed.
Questions about Herpes Zoster
Does having diabetes make my Herpes Zoster infection more likely to be severe?
Yes, diabetes is linked to more severe herpes zoster, including higher rates of disseminated disease and complications like postherpetic neuralgia.
Full answer →Is the Recombinant Zoster Vaccine recommended for immunocompromised adults aged 19 and older?
Yes, the Recombinant Zoster Vaccine (RZV) is recommended for immunocompromised adults aged 19 and older by the ACIP, with high efficacy and acceptable safety.
Full answer →Does aging increase my risk of Herpes Zoster according to recent genomic studies?
Yes, aging increases herpes zoster risk. Genomic studies show age-related decline in VZV-specific immunity and shared genetic signals linking aging, autoimmunity, and viral reactivation.
Full answer →What is the risk of getting Herpes Zoster if I have rheumatoid arthritis?
People with rheumatoid arthritis have a significantly higher risk of getting shingles compared to the general population, with studies showing an increased risk of about 30% to nearly 60% depending on age and other factors.
Full answer →