How to Prevent Infections After Stroke

Infection is the number one cause of death following a stroke. Individuals who suffer a stroke are often bedridden for extensive periods of time, have compromised immune systems and trouble swallowing, breathing and urinating on their own, which makes them more susceptible to various bacterial infections. Stroke victims who avoid developing a fever or infection have much higher survival rates and are more likely to fully recuperate than those who develop a fever or infection following a stroke. For this reason, it is important for individuals who suffer a stroke to take preventative action in order to avoid complications from infections.

Things You'll Need

• Prophylactic Antibiotic Therapy
• Water test
• IV (if patient is having difficulty swallowing)
• Feeding tube (if the patient has trouble swallowing or maintaining a healthy weight)
• Nurse or family member available to monitor patient's progress

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Instructions

Preventing Infection after a Stroke

• 1

  Provide prophylactic antibiotic therapy within 24 hours of a stroke.

  According to the Mannheim Infection in Stroke Study, individuals who received combination prophylactic antibiotic therapy for 4 days were much less likely to develop infections as those who received other antibiotics.

  Study investigator Dr. Stefan schwarz of the University of Heidelberg in Germany says, "early infection after stroke is a frequent and a main cause of fever. It is also well-known that fever following stroke is strongly associated with an unfavorable prognosis." Therefore, treating stroke sufferes with prophylactic antibiotic therapy is important because it aids in preventing the onset of fever and infection, greatly increasing the patient's chance of recovering.

  Even if patients aren't prescribed prophylactic antibiotic therapy, some form of antibiotic treatment should be prescribed because stroke victims are much more susceptible to developing infections.

• 2

  Administer water test.

  Difficulty swallowing is one of the main causes of infection in individuals who have recently suffered a stroke. This difficulty swallowing can cause bacteria to go to the lungs, resulting in aspiration pneumonia.

  In order to determine if a stroke victim is having trouble swallowing, administer a water test, which consists of giving the patient a glass of water to drink. If the patient has trouble drinking the glass, then nutrients and liquids should be administered through an IV until the individual regains the ability to swallow.

• 3

  Limit catheter use.

  Because stroke victims often have trouble urinating on their own or emptying their bladder completely, a catheter is often inserted. However, the use of a catheter is associated with higher rates of UTIs, so catheter use should be limited as much as possible. Although it is not necessary to replace a catheter on a daily basis, it is important to make sure no cracks or dirt are present. If a UTI is suspected, antibiotic treatment should be started immediately.

• 4

  Turn the patient every two hours to prevent bedsores.

  Because stroke victims are often bedridden or have limited mobility for extended periods of time, it is important to turn the patient every couple of hours in order to avoid developing bedsores (also known as pressure sores). Pressure sores can be deadly if left untreated. It is important to notify the patient's doctor if bedsores develop.

• 5

  Have the patient maintain a healthy weight.

  Many stroke patients lose the ability to eat and drink or simply lose their appetite after a stroke. If the patient is having difficulty maintaining a healthy weight, a feeding tube should be inserted until the patient is able or willing to feed on their own.

  Being underweight and poor nutrition can compromise the patient's immune system, making the patient more vulnerable to both viral and bacterial infections.