12 May 2025 • Herpes zoster (HZ) infection significantly raises the risk of stroke, particularly intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), within 90 days of infection.

Key Findings:

• A study of over 66,000 stroke cases showed a 63% increase in overall stroke odds (adjusted OR = 1.63) following recent HZ infection.
• The risk was even more pronounced for ICH, with an adjusted OR of 2.73, while the odds for ischemic stroke also rose (OR = 1.54).

These findings highlight elevated cerebrovascular risk following HZ, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and potentially preventive strategies in recently infected individuals.

Source: Sage Journals | Read Full Story