Influenza in diabetics: how to behave properly?
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Diabetes and the flu - how to behave correctly? If you have diabetes, it is very important to avoid getting infected with the flu. Influenza is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, which reaches the muscle tissue and all organs, poisoning them with harmful toxins. Although everyone has a chance to get sick with the flu, people with diabetes find it more difficult to fight the viruses that cause it. Influenza and other viral infections add stress to the body, because they can increase blood sugar and the likelihood of serious complications.
[What do you need to know about flu symptoms?
Symptoms of influenza after an incubation period of 2-7 days usually appear suddenly. They may include the following:
- Heat
- Severe pain in the joints, muscles and around the eyes
- General weakness
- Redness of the skin and red, watery eyes
- Headache
- Dry cough
- Sore throat and watery discharge from the nose
How often should I check the blood sugar level if a person has the flu?
According to the American Diabetes Association, if you are sick with the flu, it is important to check and double-check the blood sugar level. If a person is sick and feels terrible, he may not be aware of the blood sugar level - he may be too high or too low.
WHO recommends checking the blood sugar level at least every three to four hours and immediately inform the doctor about any changes. With the flu, you may need more insulin if the blood sugar level is too high.
In addition, check your ketone level if you are sick with the flu. If the level of ketones becomes too high, a person can fall into a coma. At a high level of ketone bodies, a person needs immediate medical attention. The doctor will be able to explain what needs to be done to prevent serious complications in the flu.
What drugs can I take from a flu if a person has diabetes?
People with diabetes should always consult a doctor to prescribe medications to relieve flu symptoms. But before that, make sure that you carefully read the label of the drug. In addition, avoid products with ingredients that contain a large amount of sugars. Liquid syrups, for example, often contain sugar.
You should stay away from traditional cough medicines. Drugs that are used to treat the symptoms of influenza are usually produced with high sugar content. Pay attention to the inscription "without sugar" when buying drugs for influenza.
What can you eat with diabetes and flu?
With the flu, you can feel really bad, besides, very often with the flu there is dehydration. You need to drink plenty of fluids, but be sure to monitor the level of sugar in it. With the help of food, you can regularly manage the level of sugar in your blood.
Ideally, with the flu, you need to choose the best foods from your regular diet. Eat about 15 grams of carbohydrates every hour when you get sick. You can also eat toast, 3/4 cup frozen yogurt or 1 cup of soup.
What if the person with diabetes has the flu?
If you have flu-like symptoms, consult a doctor immediately. With the flu, a doctor can prescribe antiviral drugs that can make flu symptoms less severe and give the opportunity to feel better.
In addition to recommendations for the treatment of influenza, a person with diabetes should:
- Continue taking pills from diabetes or insulin
- Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration
- Try to eat as usual
- Weigh ourselves every day. Weight loss is a sign of low blood glucose
Diabetes and the flu are very unpleasant neighbors, so try to avoid even the second. And if it does not work out, immediately consult your doctor.
How to avoid dehydration with influenza and diabetes?
Some people who are sick with diabetes also suffer from nausea, vomiting and diarrhea due to the flu. That's why it's so important to drink enough fluids to avoid dehydration due to the flu.
With influenza and diabetes it is advisable to drink one cup of liquid every hour. It is advisable to drink it without sugar, drinks are recommended tea, water, infusions and decoctions with ginger, if your blood sugar is very high.
If the blood sugar level is too low, you can drink liquid with 15 grams of carbohydrates, for example, 1/4 cup of grape juice or 1 glass of apple juice.
How to prevent flu from diabetes?
If you have diabetes, you are at an increased risk of complications after the flu. It is vitally important to get a flu shot or nasal vaccine once a year. True, the flu vaccine does not provide 100% protection against influenza, but it protects against its complications and makes the disease more easy and less time-consuming. Vaccines against influenza are best received in September - before the start of the influenza season, which will begin around December-January.
Ask family members, colleagues and close friends to get them too. Studies show that a person with diabetes is less likely to become infected with the flu unless others are infected with his virus.
In addition, vaccination against the flu should always keep your hands clean. Frequent and thorough hand washing is necessary to eliminate pathogenic microbes from the hands so that they do not enter the body through the mouth, nose or eyes.