Diabetes Can Raise Your Risk of Flu Complications
Wednesday October 14, 2009
Did you know that having diabetes can put you at high risk for flu complications? The flu, including H1N1 (swine) flu can cause secondary illnesses, like pneumonia, that are triggered by having the flu. If you have a chronic condition like type 2 diabetes, it can raise your risk for these kinds of secondary illnesses.
What can you do to prevent yourself from getting the flu?
- Get a flu shot. There is a seasonal flu vaccine available and also a specific vaccine for H1N1. Getting both vaccines will protect you against more than one strain of flu virus. It is also a good idea to get the pneumonia vaccine if you haven't had it yet.
- Make sure to wash your hands. Germs are transmitted by contact. Frequent hand-washing cuts down on germs. If you have the flu, cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, to avoid exposing others.
- Avoid being near people who are sick, or in places where you might be exposed to people who are sick. Stay home if you are sick.
Hi, Deborah,
One tip I’m often surprised to see that ISN’T offered during discussions of the swine flu is to get a pnuemonia vaccination. You only need to get it twice in a lifetime, and it prevents most types of pneumonia complications that can accompany the flu.
As a diabetic who was also blessed with asthma (it’s what we can the butt-end of the genetic lottery), I’m surprised that I was NEVER advised to get a pneumococcal vaccine. In fact, I didn’t even know that they EXISTED until recently. The vaccine has been around for a long time and has a safe record.
Even people who aren’t going to be vaccinated for the swine flu, due to flu shot shortages or personal preferences, might want to consider avoiding pneumonia through this simple vaccine.
I blogged about this topic recently.
Great info. Thanks
This posting very impressed me, can you tell me where can I find the medical journal about this or you can kindly send it to me.
Thank you
At present I’m being given 5mg tabs of glipizide, This amount however drops my sugar level by 100 points. My levels have been in the 95 to 145 range. What should I do?
Hi Jessie,
Always talk to your doctor about your concerns, especially involving your medications. He or she is the one who knows your medical history and can give you good guidance on what to do.
Deb