The COVID-19 pandemic may be over, but our immune systems are still feeling the impact. After years of battling constant viral threats, from COVID-19 to seasonal flu and other infections, our body’s defense system is exhausted. Many people continue to experience lingering inflammation, frequent illnesses, and slower recovery times. This extended state of immune stress has compromised us further to chronic illness, including autoimmune diseases and even neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's. So why is our immune system still in trouble? And how do we give it its power back? Understanding immune exhaustion is the beginning of rebuilding our body's natural immunity.

A weakened immune system makes people more susceptible to disease, mental illnesses, and even sleep disorders. Now, new research indicates that immune system depletion may play an important role in the onset of Parkinson's disease, a degenerative neurologic disorder that compromises movement and cognition.

Role of Inflammation in Parkinson's Disease

Dysfunctional immune response is a leading cause of long-standing inflammation within the body, that has been found to contribute towards a multitude of conditions, including cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, depression, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.

As people age, their immune system naturally becomes less effective. This deterioration, referred to as immune exhaustion, may be a key contributor to the onset and progression of Parkinson’s disease. Rebecca Wallings, a Parkinson’s Foundation Launch Award grant recipient and senior postdoctoral fellow at the University of Florida, believes that an accumulation of exhausted immune cells could be driving neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s patients.

How a Tired Immune System Might Affect Parkinson's?

Parkinson's disease is most commonly linked with the degeneration and loss of dopaminergic neurons—motor nerve cells that produce dopamine, an essential neurotransmitter for movement. While researchers have long suspected inflammation is involved in this neurodegeneration, the mechanisms are not yet well understood.

Wallings' study is on immune cell exhaustion, a process by which aging immune cells fail to control immune responses effectively. Her research indicates that instead of dampening inflammation in Parkinson's patients, attempts should be made to rejuvenate the immune system to regain its functionality.

Energy Deficiency in Immune Cells

One of the major findings of Wallings' work is the function of mitochondrial impairment in immune cell exhaustion. Mitochondria are commonly called the powerhouses of cells, as they are vital for generating energy. As mitochondria age and become inefficient, immune cells fail to function well, potentially accelerating neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease.

Wallings has found that mutations in the LRRK2 gene, a recognized genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease, are linked with defective mitochondrial function and immune cell exhaustion. Her current work includes testing various therapeutic approaches to restore mitochondrial function in immune cells with the potential to enhance the immune system and potentially prevent or treat Parkinson's disease.

Will Rejuvenating the Immune System Help in Treatment?

For decades, the standard practice in treating Parkinson's has been to suppress brain inflammation. Yet Wallings' work indicates that instead of slowing down immune responses, restoring the immune system could be a more successful strategy. By addressing mitochondrial impairment and immune resilience, researchers can potentially reverse or slow down Parkinson's disease.

Wallings is now looking into how to rejuvenate immune cells by fixing mitochondria. She studies immune cells from patients with Parkinson's as well as from healthy subjects and performs experiments on animal models to determine if rejuvenation of the immune system could result in improved disease outcomes.

Lifestyle Factors That May Affect Parkinson's Risk

While there is no cure for Parkinson's disease, some lifestyle adjustments may decrease the chances of developing the illness. Since neurodegenerative diseases are associated with chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction, developing habits that enhance immune function might prove helpful.

Diet: There is evidence to suggest that eating in accordance with the Mediterranean or MIND diets, both high in antioxidants, healthy fats, and anti-inflammatory foods, can encourage brain wellness and reduce Parkinson's risk.

Avoiding Dangerous Substances: Restricting alcohol and nicotine use can maintain a robust immune system and suppress inflammation.

Reducing Stress: Chronic stress weakens immune function, so methods such as meditation, exercise, and sufficient sleep can lead to improved overall well-being.

Leptospirosis gained attention after its cases surged in Kerala recently. The infection has also been reported in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. The bacterial infection typically spreads via contact with water or soil that has been contaminated by the urine of animals infected with leptospirosis, especially during floods.

As monsoons are right at our doors, know why it is important to detect and nab dangerous infections like leptospirosis early.

What Is Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is a potentially serious bacterial infection sometimes called the "rat fever" because it can cause symptoms similar to the typical symptoms of common viral infections, which may not be noticeable in the early stages. It is caused by the bacteria of the genus Leptospira that are excreted in the urine of infected animals, including rats, cattle, dogs, and pigs.

In the monsoon season, there is a risk of waterlogging and contaminated animal urine mixing with floodwater and soil. Infestation occurs through direct contact with contaminated water or mud on cuts or abrasions or on the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and eyes. Those involved in outdoor work, sanitation, farming, construction, or who are walking in flooded streets are especially at risk.

Combating Leptospirosis In Monsoon

Health and Me spoke to Dr. Sundar Krishnan, Senior Consultant - Internal Medicine, KIMS Hospital, Thane, about how to tackle leptospirosis this monsoon.

Dr. Krishnan says, “In the early stages, it may have flu-like symptoms, and that makes early recognition challenging. Symptoms are sudden onset of high fever, chills, very severe headache, muscle pain especially in the calves and lower back, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and red eyes.”

The expert also said that occasionally, the patient may also have abdominal pain or diarrhea. He also says it can escalate quickly to jaundice, kidney failure, difficulty breathing, meningitis, internal bleeding, or multi-organ failure and can require immediate medical care.

Dr. Krishnan recommends several prevention tips to tackle leptospirosis in monsoon:

• Avoiding contact with contaminated water by staying out of flooded areas whenever possible.

• Wearing waterproof boots and gloves for extra protection.

• Covering cuts or wounds with waterproof dressings before entering flood water.

• Maintaining good personal hygiene, washing hands and feet extensively after contact with flooded and stagnant water.

• Getting out of wet clothes as soon as possible.

• Taking measures for proper waste disposal to control rat infestation.

• Raising awareness and educating the public about the risk of leptospirosis during the rainy season.

If leptospirosis is diagnosed early and treated with antibiotics, recovery is much quicker, avoiding life-threatening complications. But if detection and treatment are delayed, the kidneys, liver, lungs, and even the brain may be affected.

The expert advises that people who are ill after being exposed to flood water and are facing fever or flu-like symptoms for more than two days should also seek medical help as soon as possible, informing their doctor about their flood water exposure.

Even though the risk of leptospirosis is high during the monsoon, the best way to steer clear of this infection is to educate the masses about its symptoms and prevention. Early clinical intervention can help de-escalate the situation promptly.

Headaches are one of the most common health complaints and are often caused by stress, lack of sleep, dehydration, excessive screen time, skipped meals, or other lifestyle factors. While most headaches are benign, experts said that frequent or unusual headaches should not be ignored, as they may signal an underlying medical condition that requires evaluation.

The experts told HealthandMe that paying attention to changes in headache frequency, pattern, and associated symptoms can help identify when medical attention is necessary.

Increasing Frequency Is a Warning Sign

According to Dr. Rajneesh Kummar, Vice Chairman & Unit Head, Neurology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka, one of the most common concerns is increasing frequency.

“If someone who previously experienced occasional headaches starts getting them several times a week or finds that painkillers are needed more often than before, it is worth getting evaluated,” he told HealthandMe.

“People should seek medical attention if they have headaches more than 10 to 15 days a month, if the headaches are getting worse, or if they are beginning to interfere with work, daily activities, or quality of life,” added Dr. Praveen Gupta, Chairman, MAIINS, Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram. He also noted that medication-overuse headaches can result from taking painkillers regularly, leading to a cycle of recurrent pain.

Also read: Shingles Vaccine May Help Fight Dementia, Suggest Studies

Watch For Changes In Headache Pattern

A change in the pattern of headaches should not be ignored. Dr. Kummar said a headache that feels different from what a person has experienced in the past, particularly after the age of 50, deserves medical attention. Headaches that wake a person from sleep, are worse in the early morning, or are associated with vomiting should also be assessed further.

Dr. Gupta advised prompt medical evaluation for people over the age of 50 who develop a new type of headache. He also recommends seeing a doctor if a person has a history of cancer, a weakened immune system, or develops a headache after a head injury.

Symptoms That Need Immediate Medical Attention

The neurologists highlight several "red flag" symptoms that require urgent medical assessment. They advised immediate consultation if a headache is accompanied by

• weakness on one side of the body,
• difficulty speaking,
• double vision,
• confusion, seizures,
• loss of consciousness,
• Numbness
• balance problems

Read More:Sepsis: India Joins Global Trial To Screen Newborns For Deadly Drug-Resistant Infections

Not Every Headache Is a Brain Tumor

Dr. Kummar stated that many people worry that every headache is related to a brain tumor or another serious brain disorder. Fortunately, this is rarely the case.

However, persistent or unusual headaches should not be self-diagnosed, and timely consultation helps identify the cause and ensures appropriate treatment before the problem begins affecting quality of life, the expert said.

Early Diagnosis Key

Dr. Gupta told HealthandMe that early diagnosis can help manage common neurological disorders such as migraines, cluster headaches, and chronic tension-type headaches. A thorough history, neurological examination, and imaging studies, when appropriate, can help determine the cause.

The experts emphasize that if headaches are becoming more frequent, changing in patterns, or affecting daily life, it is time to consult a neurologist. Early diagnosis can provide relief, prevent complications, and improve overall quality of life.

Several recent studies suggest that older adults who receive the shingles vaccine may be less likely to develop dementia, a condition affecting more than 57 million people worldwide.

Shingles is a painful viral infection caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which can remain dormant after chickenpox and later trigger a blistering rash and severe nerve pain.

Shingrix Vaccine And Reduced Dementia Risk

A June 2026 study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that one in 17 dementia cases could potentially be prevented through shingles vaccination.

Researchers at Brown University found that older adults who received the recombinant shingles vaccine (Shingrix) after a stay in a skilled nursing facility had a 24% lower risk of being diagnosed with dementia over four years than those who were not vaccinated.

The study analyzed Medicare and health records from more than 500,000 adults aged 66 and older admitted to skilled nursing facilities. Researchers compared those who received at least one dose of Shingrix with those who remained unvaccinated.

“A lot of previous studies with similar results focused on an older vaccine,” said study author Kaley Hayes, an assistant professor at Brown University’s School of Public Health.

“This study looks at the newest vaccine only in an older, vulnerable adult population who were not up to date with shingles vaccination and are at a very clear clinical point in care: entering a skilled nursing facility.”

The findings add to growing evidence linking shingles vaccination with a lower risk of dementia.

Also read: How To Spot Leptospirosis, Dengue, Malaria During Monsoons? Early Symptoms Not To Neglect

How Does The Vaccine Protect The Brain?

Researchers believe the vaccine may help protect the brain by preventing shingles and the inflammation caused by the virus.

Shingles can cause a “war zone” of inflammation in the brain, said Dr. Jennifer Pauldurai, the medical director of the Inova Brain Health and Memory Disorders Program in Northern Virginia, NBC News reported.

It’s not that the shingles vaccine itself is a “magic pill,” Pauldurai said.

Rather, the vaccine guards against the disease, which is known to disrupt brain health.

Evidence from Wales, Australia, and Canada

The latest findings add to a growing body of international research.

A study involving more than 282,000 older adults in Wales, published in Nature in 2025, found shingles vaccination was associated with a 3.5% lower absolute risk of dementia over seven years.

Another study of more than 101,000 older adults in Australia, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2025, found vaccine eligibility was associated with a 1.8% lower dementia risk over 7.4 years.

Similarly, a study involving more than 232,000 older adults in Canada, published in The Lancet Neurology in 2026, linked shingles vaccine eligibility to a 2% lower dementia risk over 5.5 years.

Read More: Sepsis: India Joins Global Trial To Screen Newborns For Deadly Drug-Resistant Infections

Shingles: Early Warning Signs

After a person recovers from chickenpox, the VZV virus remains dormant in nerve cells and can become active again years or even decades later, particularly when the immune system weakens.

Older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at the highest risk of developing shingles.

According to the NHS, shingles often starts with:

• Burning, tingling, itching, or pain on one side of the body
• Headache or feeling generally unwell
• A blistering rash that develops within a few days, most commonly on the chest or abdomen

When To See A Doctor

Seek prompt medical attention if:

• The rash appears on or near the eye
• The pain is severe or rapidly spreading
• You have a weakened immune system
• You are pregnant
• Symptoms are worsening quickly