US scientists name infection more dangerous for brain than coronavirus

Influenza is almost twice as likely to cause neurological damage as COVID-19, Report informs via Healthday.

Scientists compared data from 70,000 people hospitalized due to the flu and 70,000 hospitalized due to COVID-19.

Overall, 4.9% of flu patients and 2.8% of COVID patients developed neurological disorders in the year following their illness. Also, 3.2% of flu patients and 2% of COVID patients went to the hospital because of migraines. Meanwhile, 2.1% of flu patients and 1.6% of COVID patients received medications for epilepsy.

Neuropathies and movement disorders were also more common in patients who had suffered from influenza. The prevalence of stroke and dementia was approximately equal, but both conditions were slightly more common in flu survivors.

Scientists believe their discovery is good news. The majority of adults in the United States (where the study was conducted) have contracted the coronavirus. The fact that its consequences for the nervous system are similar to those of ARVI means there is no need to expect a catastrophically large workload on neurologists.