Jan Hofer totter in: What makes a protracted infection that dangerous

The popular newscaster of ARD, Jan Hofer, and suffered from a bout of weakness. A drug for a protracted flu was to blame, it was the later. What dire consequences a non-auskurierter infection can really have, says cardiology Professor Michael Böhme.

Jan Hofer, the experienced and always sovereign ARD-newscaster, startled on Thursday evening, the audience of “the daily show”: The last messages in front of the weather map, he was able to put forward only haltingly – he staggered. After that, he had to hang on to the Desk and acted as if he were going to collapse – because the screen was dark.

On a concerned viewer to Ask the editorial team and Jan Hofer, even gifts still in the evening the all-clear. It’s just a little uncomfortable was his. “I don’t suppose I can take a medication that I must take since today because of a protracted flu,” reassured the popular news anchor his audience out of the hospital.

The Situation reminded one of the 3. November 2016: Jan Hofer was unable to fulfill his Part in the “issues of the day” and Mrs Karin Miosga had to step in. At that time, the stomach of the daily show speaker had rebelled.

In the present case the transmitter had been probably a bit bigger, after all, an ambulance was called and Jan Hofer and then in the University hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf checked.

Underestimated risk: protracted flu

In fact, the explosive nature of the incident in the keyword “protracted flu”. Presumably, the speaker has underestimated the risks of not auskurierten infections, as do many workers start with a common cold and maybe even a fever dutifully to the service. The symptoms of a flu-like infection, medication to suppress, and after a week the thing should be over.

The immune system is extremely stressed, and feel the Affected by the fact that the infection is not just forget after a week:

The cold settles in the sinuses, or a harmless cough, severe Bronchitis and finally pneumonia. Or the victims feel a sustained, weak, quickly exhausted and out of breath. Perhaps the heart beats irregularly.

The lungs and heart are especially vulnerable

Professor Michael Böhme, a cardiologist at the University hospital of the Saarland, says: “The most serious consequences of a (displaced) flu are bacterial pneumonia and cardiac involvement. This can be in addition to an inflammation of the heart muscle and rhythm disorders.“

According to a report in the “picture” observed in the clinic study with Jan Hofer, mild heart rhythm disturbances. In connection with a protracted flu, the irregular heartbeat usually occurs during physical exertion. Arrhythmias can stumble from harmless heart (extrasystoles) on the in older people, prevalent atrial fibrillation to life threatening ventricular fibrillation.

The trigger for the inflammation of the heart muscle common cold viruses, which are kardiotrop, so go to the heart. Up to five percent of all virus-induced diseases of the heart affected. “Exact Figures for the Myokartitis as a result of a flu it is not, however,” says Michael Böhme.

An inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis)can almost pass unnoticed and without consequences, even after six weeks of heal. This occurs on about two-thirds. The rest of it comes to the scarring on the heart and it can weakness be a lasting heart (heart failure) develop. And in the worst case, triggers the inflammation of the later, sudden cardiac death or a heart attack.

Sudden cardiac death in young athletes as a result of protracted flu

A study at the Robert Bosch hospital in Stuttgart, has demonstrated this connection a few years ago. The study could also provide the explanation why athletes, especially, often suffer sudden cardiac death. High-performance athletes, but also ambitious recreational athletes do not train often, if an infection is not properly cured, and damage to your heart. Similarly, when training loads are taken into account, even though bed rest would be appropriate.

In any case, a longer period of conservation is after surviving myocarditis necessary. Between three and six months can pass before a Patient is fully resilient.

Also, dehydration, and fever can trigger a bout of weakness

How with Jan Hofer, in fact, the heart was attacked, we don’t know. Also, what is the medication against the consequences of the deportees he flu has not tolerated is unknown. Cardiologist Böhme assumes, rather, that the weakness of the daily show speaker were a direct result of the flu: “dehydration and maybe even a fever can cause a current circulation weakness.”

But the incident should have made the 69-year-old Jan Hofer realized that he may be sick and in the rest cure. The ARD-Tagesschau will also start without him, just in time to 20 PM.