Flu and diabetes risk: What to do and how to manage flu symptoms when you get sick, if you have diabetes

Flu season is currently one of the most severe ones we have seen. While there is a lot of stress on the importance of timely vaccination, flu can be a serious threat for someone who already is battling a comorbidity, like diabetes.

Also read: How long are you contagious for, when you have the flu?

Diabetes, a condition characterized by erratic blood sugar flare-ups can cause inflammation and weaken immune defense- meaning that if you have uncontrolled blood glucose levels, you are not only at a higher risk of catching infections, but recovery can be slow too, just like it is with COVID-19. Plus, when you develop a bout of infection like this, keeping blood sugar levels balanced can be problematic too. Hence, while it's super important to nip infections in the bud, take proper care, it's also important to know how to manage the infection, and prevent the risk of severity and complications as well. If you have diabetes, here's how to manage the condition better:

While flu and viral ailments can feel cumbersome, when an individual is suffering from diabetes, there's a great risk which comes up, since it is a chronic condition which threatens stable immune system functioning, and makes it easier for pathogens to get in.

When you catch the virus, the body produces additional glucose to energize the body. However, the influenza virus can release cortisol , which can reduce the effectiveness of insulin and disturb glucose readings. These factors can also trigger off the risk of destabilized blood glucose readings, and raise the risk of complications as well. It is actually said that while diabetics have a higher risk of flu, they are also 30% more likely to be hospitalized than non-diabetics, with the flu.

Developing a viral fever or flu-like illness when you have diabetes can be concerning, but require proper care and management. Remember, since diabetes is a chronic condition, you need to be very diligent about the self-care practices and take additional steps to keep both flu symptoms, as well as blood sugar levels under check.

Particularly, being infected by the influenza virus can induce stress on the body, make it cumbersome to eat, drive fatigue and also lead to dehydration- all of which can disturb glucose levels. Hence, one of the things that's very important to do when you fall sick with the flu, if you have diabetes, is to keep monitoring blood sugar levels every four hours, and maintain proper eating habits, even when you do not feel hungry. Drinking plenty of fluids (preferably ones which do not raise glucose levels) is also crucial, since high sugar can cause frequent urination, and lead to dehydration. Skipping, or doubling down on medication doses is not advisable.

It should also be remembered that with diabetes, since the body has a harder time fighting off viruses and infections, the symptoms can take a longer time to go away. The illness may be long, and make your body very weak and drained.

Diabetic ketoacidosis, a rare complication which can make the body use up ketones and raise glucose levels can be a serious threat. However, do remember that while flu is just as severe of a disease like the COVID-19, it's very important to track symptoms, and rush for medical help if potentially worrisome signs are spotted. When you get the flu, be on the lookout for signs of worsening/ poor health such as:

Also read: Severe signs of flu and viral ailments to be careful of

-Frequent urination

-Dry mouth, loss of appetite

-Confusion, dizziness

-Abdominal pain, nausea

-Losing weight (5 kilos or more can be concerning)

-Loss of consciousness and high fever lasting for more than a week

-Blood sugar levels higher than 240 (or constantly rising levels)

While most medications (along with the regular blood glucose stabilizing drugs) should be taken only after proper consultation and advice from doctors, it is said that some common OTC medications, including decongestants, cough syrups or drops can affect blood sugar levels temporarily, and hence, may need to be altered. For people with a seriously unstable diabetes level, or other preconditions, diabetes medication or insulin may need to be adjusted. Do keep your doctor in loop to know what would work the best for you and identify other risk factors which may need attention.

Maintaining adequate respiratory hygiene, not venturing out in crowds and safeguarding your health doubly well are some of the ways to minimize your risk of infection. Apart from the fact, it's also advisable that individuals with diabetes (both Type-1 and Type-2) get updated flu vaccine shots every six months to get ample immune protection. Safe and efficacious, getting timely shots can considerably reduce the risk of hospitalization and serious illness.

Also read: How getting the flu vaccine will be different this year