If you are diabetic and wondering if you should get a flu shot in most cases the answer is a definite - Yes! The flu minus the diabetes causes a number of unpleasant symptoms aches and pains, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, coughing, runny nose, sneezing, and a general feeling of yuck!
If you have diabetes and get the flu, you will not only suffer from some or all of the symptoms above but the virus can also raise your blood sugar levels causing even more problems. A diabetic has to eat a proper diabetic diet to help control their diabetes if they cannot keep anything down it makes it difficult for the body to regulate the use of the oral medication or insulin injections. Without the medication or insulin, a diabetic is in danger of much more serious complications that the flu can cause in most cases.
If you think, you are coming down with the flu call your doctor. He/she can prescribe anti-viral medications and advise you on how much (if at all) to increase your medication or insulin. It is also recommended that diabetics get a pneumonia shot as well.
Prevention is always the best treatment. Get the flu and pneumonia shot, wash your hands often. Avoid people who are sick even if it seems to be a common cold as the flu can often appear as a simple cold when it is first settling in. Drink plenty of sugar free liquids. Maintain your healthy diet and exercise program.
Source: www.cdc.gov/diabetes/projects/pdfs/eng_brochure.pdf
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