Shingles: more than a rash, it can lead to serious health complications
UCI Health infectious disease expert encourages aging population to stay current on vaccinations
IN THE NEWS: Dr. Shruti Gohil, a board-certified infectious disease specialist and the associate medical director of UCI Health Epidemiology & Infection Prevention, recently spoke with VeryWell Health regarding the chickenpox and shingles viruses and the need for older adults to stay up to date with their vaccinations.
Gohil says that as one ages, or the immune system weakens, the chickenpox virus can reactivate and cause shingles. After vaccination, protection remains strong for several years, although some waning of immunity can occur over time.
"Even in cases where vaccinated individuals develop shingles, symptoms are generally milder and less likely to result in long-term complications."
Gohil says some studies have also found associations between shingles and increased risks of stroke, vascular dementia, and cognitive decline. The shingles vaccine is recommended for adults 50 and older, as well as younger people with certain immunocompromising conditions.
"It is recommended even for those who have previously had shingles or received older versions of the vaccine, as the newer vaccine provides stronger and longer-lasting protection."
Gohil is an associate professor at the UC Irvine School of Medicine. Her clinical interests include hospital epidemiology, infection prevention, communicable disease transmission and multidrug-resistant organism infections. She has led INSPIRE, a series of national studies to assess patient risk for multidrug-resistant bacterial infections and to prompt physicians to limit the use of extended-spectrum antibacterial drugs in real time. She is a member of The Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Society of Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
About UCI Health
UCI Health, one of California’s largest academic health systems, is the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. The 1,461-bed system comprises its main campus UCI Health — Orange, its flagship hospital, the UCI Health — Irvine acute care hospital and medical campus, four hospitals and affiliated physicians of the UCI Health Community Network in Orange and Los Angeles counties and a network of ambulatory care centers across the region. UCI Health — Orange provides tertiary and quaternary care and is home to the only Orange County-based National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, high-risk perinatal/neonatal program and American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, gold level 1 geriatric emergency department and regional burn center. Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people in Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).