In a new study, researchers have discovered that suffering from infection increases the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a dangerous condition in which blood clots form blocking the circulation in larger veins. That infection can cause an increase in the risk of heart attacks and strokes was always known. But in studies conducted on over of more than three million patient records from across the UK revealed that infection can also cause DVT.
Researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that a relation existed between DVTs and respiratory and urinary infections, most dangerous during the first two weeks of infection. They said that their research also proves that the process of infection, rather than any specific kind of infection, was responsible for the increased risk They now feel that the need now is to uncover the mechanism that underlies the risk. They feel the greatest risk is in the first two weeks after which the risks reduce considerably.The researchers feel that it’s the inflammatory response of the bodies rather than the microorganisms that cause the blood clots. The theory makes sense also due to the fact that the clotting agents in the blood are known to attract lot of bacteria and viruses.
An all-party group on thrombosis was formed yesterday by Welsh MP John Smith, seeking to increase awareness of the symptoms that can precede a DVT attack. He said that by making people aware of this preventable condition we can potentially save thousands of lives each year. More people die from DVT attacks in the UK than from breast cancer, road accidents and AIDS put together.
