Measles and stroke: New study warns of hidden risk!

Measles and stroke: New study warns of hidden risk!

Worldwide, over 12.2 million people suffer an ischemic stroke every year. This cerebral infarction results from an interruption in the blood supply to specific areas of the brain, which can result in serious infections. The latest studies show that such infections significantly increase the risk of strokes and cardiovascular diseases. A comprehensive study of this phenomenon was carried out by a research team led by Prof. Dr. Christoph Kleinschnitz at the Medical Faculty of the University of Duisburg-Essen, and the results were published in the specialist journal “STROKE”. uni-due.de reports on the crucial findings.

Particular attention was paid to the observations that an increase in strokes in people infected with SARS-CoV-2 was noted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Similar patterns were also confirmed in severe influenza A virus infections. The study used an animal model in which a human influenza virus was introduced followed by the induction of stroke at different time points. The results show that acute influenza can significantly worsen brain damage and neurological deficits.

Influence of viral infections

Scientists found that viral infections have significant effects on blood clotting, which increases the likelihood of blood clots forming. These clots can lead to vascular blockages and, consequently, strokes. In addition, early vaccination against influenza is strongly recommended in the event of infections, especially for vulnerable patient groups. Neurological warning signs such as numbness and paralysis should also be taken seriously, and rapid action is required if a stroke is suspected.

It is worrying to note that approximately one in ten people infected with SARS-CoV-2 suffers an ischemic stroke. Studies show that among hospitalized COVID-19 patients, the stroke rate is 1.4%, and cerebral hemorrhages are three times more common than ischemic strokes. Looking at hospital mortality, it turns out that COVID-19 patients with strokes have a higher mortality rate than other stroke patients. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov has analyzed this development in detail.

Prevention and therapy

The importance of preventive measures cannot be overemphasized. High-risk patients benefit from vaccinations, and stroke treatment methods do not differ significantly between COVID-19 patients and other patients. Important therapeutic drugs such as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) or antiviral therapies offer potential for reducing brain damage. The same recommendations apply to the acute therapy of ischemic stroke, regardless of whether the patient has COVID-19 or not. Scientific evidence shows that preventative vaccinations, whether against flu or measles, can be crucial in reducing the risk of serious outcomes such as stroke. lab-news.de highlights these findings.

In summary, viral infections can significantly increase the risk of stroke and prompt responses to neurological symptoms are critical. It remains up to the medical community to work more intensively on education and prevention strategies.