The Flu Vaccine is Extra Important if You Live with Diabetes – Here’s Why
Nov 09, 2021
More than 122 million Americans are living with diabetes or prediabetes – so chances are, someone you know and love is impacted. Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant). Type 2 diabetes is the most common, but the flu vaccine is important for people with all types of diabetes.
Keep reading for a quick look at why people with diabetes should make sure to get a flu vaccine ASAP, and read more in this article from Beyond Type 2.
Extra reasons to get a flu vaccine if you live with diabetes (excerpt from Beyond Type 2):
- Managing diabetes while sick with the flu is a total nightmare. If you can’t eat or are vomiting, you’re at risk for low blood sugars and may have difficulty treating them. At the same time, blood sugars can run high because the immune system is fighting infection or because of dehydration associated with illness — putting you at a higher risk of developing ketones and needing medical assistance.
- People with diabetes (Type 1 and 2) are at a higher risk of developing flu complications like pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, and ear infections that can lead to hospitalization.
It’s not too late to get your flu vaccine – the flu season typically peaks in January and February. It takes two weeks after you get your shot for protection to kick in. Read more about the current flu season.
Check out the full article on Beyond Type 2 for more information about why flu vaccination is so important for people with Type 2 diabetes. Share their article with your loved ones who live with diabetes. Beyond Type 2 is a place for everyone impacted by Type 2 diabetes to share their stories, get connected to the community, and find resources on topics from daily management to mental health.
Have you read:
- Why We Celebrate “Flu Shot Day” in Our Home
- 3 Things I’ve Learned Since Losing My Son to Flu
- A Pastor’s Perspective: The Moral Case for Getting a Flu Vaccine
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