6/24/2013

The flu is more dangerous for diabetics than for others. Why is it so? Any kind of disease raises blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. In fact, a disease can prevent a diabetic to eat properly, which further affects blood glucose levels. Diabetes affects the immune system by causing people to become more vulnerable to severe cases of flu (Centers for Disease Control (CDC).) Diabetics who contract the flu usually get very sick, very sick, compared to other people that swine flu. In many cases, diabetics with the flu will end up in hospital.



People with diabetes can help keep it safe from the flu by getting an annual flu shot, provided they are not allergic to it, as many people are. The influence is definitely not good for everyone. Many people complain of getting sick after taking the flu vaccine. However, for the most part, is very good in preventing the flu. It is recommended that everyone with diabetes, women who are pregnant should get an annual flu shot, and the best time to get one is in October or mid-November before the start of flu season (CDC).



According to the CDC, if one has diabetes, a flu shot can be the difference between life and death. In addition to flu vaccine, diabetics should get pneumococcal vaccine also with Toxoide vaccine of tetanus/diphtheria (Td). All measures should remain safe from infections.



There are some important steps you can take to avoid sick people. Regularly wash your hands is a very good practice to stop the spread of flu and other infections. You should avoid contact with sick people. The flu, for example, is thought to spread from person to person through coughing, sneezing or contact with infected people. If one feels under the weather, the CDC recommends that one should stay home from work or school to limit contact with others to keep them from getting sick too.



Regardless of the circumstances, diabetics should continue taking their medications (pills or insulin), although they may not eat while sick with the flu. Health care providers may sometimes advise patients to take more insulin during the illness, depending on the situation, (CDC).



Very strict supervision should be used by diabetics when you experience any form of disease. Here are some basic steps to follow in case of illness: check your blood glucose levels every hour-all results should be recorded and monitored; drink extra fluids (no calories) and try to eat normally; If you eat normally, it is not possible, eat soft food and liquids containing the same amount of carbohydrates you consume normally. weigh yourself every day-lose weight without effort could be a sign of high blood sugar; and check your body temperature every morning and every evening-onset of fever may be a sign of infection, (CDC).



One should call you or your health care provider or go to the emergency room if any of the following: feeling too ill to eat normally unable to keep down food for more than 6 hours; episodes of severe diarrhea; lose 5 kg or more; body temperature is over 101 degrees F; blood glucose is below 60 mg/dL or remains over 300 mg/dL; experience moderate or large amounts of ketones in the urine; feeling of drowsiness or unable to think clearly. and having trouble breathing, (CDC).



Diabetics need to be very careful when it comes to influenza, because diabetes affects the immune system of diabetics. Therefore, flu prevention is the best medicine. Although the flu vaccine does not agree with all, is still the most effective remedy against flu. Thus, all efforts should get a flu shot every year.



Please visit the CDC for more information about diabetes and the flu.
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