With the alarm over much of the potential flu outbreak more measured this year than in the past, you might be inclined to skip the protection of a flu shot this year. But if you have diabetes, now is not the time to let your guard down.
Each year, as many as 30,000 people with diabetes die due to complications from flu and pneumonia. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, everyone age 6 months or older with diabetes should get an annual flu shot. The CDC also recommends a pneumonia shot for people with diabetes.
When you have diabetes you’re at increased risk during the cold and flu season for several reasons:
- Your immune system is weaker, making you more susceptible to colds, flu and pneumonia
- Being ill wreaks havoc on blood sugar levels, putting you at risk for both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, as well as other complications
- For diabetics, the inability to keep down food can lead to increased ketones and threaten kidneys
As a result, it’s even more important to manage your diabetes properly when you’re sick.
Why you need an annual flu shot
The flu virus changes and mutates over time, so a shot that may have protected you last year may not protect you from newer strains. In addition, immunity that you get from a flu vaccine fades over time, so it becomes less effective the longer it’s been since you last got vaccinated.
By getting a flu shot, you may prevent contracting the disease entirely, or at least help make your symptoms far less severe if the flu you catch is related to the virus for which you’re being vaccinated. For the 2010-2011 flu season, the vaccine protects against the three most common types of flu, including the H3N2 virus, Influenza B virus, and H1N1 virus. In addition to getting vaccinated personally, you may also want to ask your immediate family and close friends to get a flu shot.
If you haven’t already gotten your shot, now is the time. The CDC advises that the vaccine takes about two weeks to be effective. Flu outbreaks tend to start rising in December and peak in January or February.
Important: Opt for the shot over the nasal vaccine
If you have diabetes, health care officials recommend that you opt for the regular vaccine administered with a needle. This type of vaccine is “inactivated,” which means it is produced using killed virus samples. An alternate flu vaccine is available in the form of a nasal spray. However, this type contains a form of the influenza virus this is in a live but weakened state, and is not recommended for people with diabetes.
Back to basics
In addition to preventative actions like getting a flu shot, you should also take special care to follow everyday health hygiene. People often underestimate how important it is to wash your hands, but studies have shown that this one activity can significantly decrease your chance of catching many different illnesses. Wash frequently with warm soapy water, or if finding running water is difficult, consider using an alcohol based hand rub. The influenza virus can last up to 8 hours on certain surfaces, so be on your guard at all times.
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