Yet another reason to avail yourself of the shingles and chickenpox vaccines: shingles increases the risk of stroke and heart attack, especially in those under the age of 40.
This finding, published in Neurology, was a retrospective study that included over 100,000 individuals with shingles and found that those under 40 who experiencing shingles had a 50% increased risk for heart attacks as well as increased risk for mini-strokes (TIAs) and full strokes.
These findings reinforce the fact that this virus is not benign and should not have the privilege of having parties in its honor to help foster its spread.