Diabetes and the Flu - Why Diabetes and the Flu Can Be a Deadly Combination
The flu season is here and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 5 to 20 percent of the US population will get the flu and more than 200,000 people will be hospitalized for flu related complications this season.
For many people, catching the flu will result in a few days in bed at worst, but for people with diabetes, catching the flu can be life threatening.
People with diabetes are 6 times more likely to be hospitalized and 3 times more likely to die from flu related complications; they also have a higher risk of developing pneumonia and dying from it.
Type 1 and 2 diabetes sufferers often have compromised immune systems and are less able to fight off the flu and other infections.
For them, catching the flu can lead to increased stress on the body, dehydration, and imbalanced blood glucose levels.
These problems are often associated with improper nutrition.
Many people have difficulty eating and drinking properly when they are sick.
For people with diabetes, improper nutrition and hydration can lead to Diabetic Ketoacidosis (a condition where the body produces excessive ketones) or Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic (a condition that involves extremely high blood glucose levels, dehydration and decreased awareness).
Both of these conditions can be life threatening and can leave the body more susceptible to serious flu related complications.
Therefore, it is important that people with diabetes avoid catching the flu.
The easiest way to avoid catching the flu is by getting a yearly flu vaccination.
About flu vaccinations Health experts recommend that everyone 6 months or older get a flu vaccination.
There are two types of flu vaccines: the inactivated virus (shot) and the live virus (spray).
Is there any reason why you should not get a flu vaccination? If you have any of the following conditions, you should contact your health care provider before getting a flu vaccination.
What are the symptoms of the flu? If you are experiencing these flu-like symptoms, call healthcare provider:
For people with diabetes this can lead to not eating a balanced diet or taking enough fluids to maintain proper blood glucose levels.
This can put them at risk for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).
If you live with type 1 or 2 diabetes and have the flu, it's important that you attempt to eat as regularly as you usually do and drink extra calorie-free liquids.
You should also check your glucose level every 3 to 4 hours and keep a record of the readings.
Diabetes and the flu can be a bad or deadly combination.
People with diabetes are 6 times more likely to be hospitalized with the flu, 3 times more likely to die from flu complications, and they are at high risk for developing pneumonia.
Because they often have impaired immune systems, people living with diabetes need to get a flu shot each year to prevent getting the flu.
If you live with diabetes and you have the flu, contact our healthcare provider immediately and monitor your glucose levels closely.
For many people, catching the flu will result in a few days in bed at worst, but for people with diabetes, catching the flu can be life threatening.
People with diabetes are 6 times more likely to be hospitalized and 3 times more likely to die from flu related complications; they also have a higher risk of developing pneumonia and dying from it.
Type 1 and 2 diabetes sufferers often have compromised immune systems and are less able to fight off the flu and other infections.
For them, catching the flu can lead to increased stress on the body, dehydration, and imbalanced blood glucose levels.
These problems are often associated with improper nutrition.
Many people have difficulty eating and drinking properly when they are sick.
For people with diabetes, improper nutrition and hydration can lead to Diabetic Ketoacidosis (a condition where the body produces excessive ketones) or Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic (a condition that involves extremely high blood glucose levels, dehydration and decreased awareness).
Both of these conditions can be life threatening and can leave the body more susceptible to serious flu related complications.
Therefore, it is important that people with diabetes avoid catching the flu.
The easiest way to avoid catching the flu is by getting a yearly flu vaccination.
About flu vaccinations Health experts recommend that everyone 6 months or older get a flu vaccination.
There are two types of flu vaccines: the inactivated virus (shot) and the live virus (spray).
- The inactivated virus vaccination is made with a dead flu virus and is administered by needle.
The inactivated vaccination cannot give a person the flu. - The live virus vaccination is made with a live weakened flu virus and administered by nasal spray.
People receiving the nasal spray may develop the flu.
Is there any reason why you should not get a flu vaccination? If you have any of the following conditions, you should contact your health care provider before getting a flu vaccination.
- If you are allergic to eggs or have had a severe reaction to a previous flu vaccination
- If you have Guillain-Barre Syndrome
- If you have the flu or are ill when you want to get vaccinated
What are the symptoms of the flu? If you are experiencing these flu-like symptoms, call healthcare provider:
- Severe aching and pains in joints
- Aching muscles
- Fatigue
- Chills
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
For people with diabetes this can lead to not eating a balanced diet or taking enough fluids to maintain proper blood glucose levels.
This can put them at risk for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).
If you live with type 1 or 2 diabetes and have the flu, it's important that you attempt to eat as regularly as you usually do and drink extra calorie-free liquids.
You should also check your glucose level every 3 to 4 hours and keep a record of the readings.
Diabetes and the flu can be a bad or deadly combination.
People with diabetes are 6 times more likely to be hospitalized with the flu, 3 times more likely to die from flu complications, and they are at high risk for developing pneumonia.
Because they often have impaired immune systems, people living with diabetes need to get a flu shot each year to prevent getting the flu.
If you live with diabetes and you have the flu, contact our healthcare provider immediately and monitor your glucose levels closely.
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