DVT and the Flu

I just read a second article out of the UK on this subject (no link because unfortunately the article from the Dialy Mail is apparently not available for free).

The author, a journalist in London (and mother of a 7-year-old), developed a groin DVT after a bout with the flu. She spent 36-hours in bed after "being hit with a steam train" by the flu -- so sick she felt she couldn't lift her head, much less get out of bed to get the fluids she knew she should be drinking.

A day later, she felt what she thought was a "groin pull" triggered by jogging earlier in the week.

Long story short: when she went to the doctor a few days later, a DVT (happily still very small) was detected.

The point of her article: any time you have extended immobility, there is a risk of DVT. Often there are no symptoms until the clot is very advanced. Yet another reason to drink plenty of fluids when recovering from flu, and to try to get out of bed and move at least a bit each hour.

Related links:

Infections Raise Risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis