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Diabetes: Seasonal and H1N1 Flu Information

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Influenza, often called the "flu" is a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. Flu spreads mostly by the coughing and sneezing of people who are sick with the flu. If you have diabetes, you are more likely to get flu-related complications like pneumonia and even be hospitalized or die from the flu than other people. Influenza may also interfere with blood glucose management. People with diabetes should talk with their doctor now to discuss preventing and treating the flu.

But there are steps you can take to protect yourself.

  • Get a flu shot! It’s the single best way to protect yourself against the flu.
  • Take antiviral medications to treat flu (if your doctor recommends them.)
  • Take everyday steps to protect your health.

Contents

Get a Flu Shot

A flu shot is the single best way to protect yourself against the flu. Both the seasonal flu vaccine and vaccine against 2009 H1N1 flu are safe and effective. This season, there is a seasonal flu vaccine to protect against seasonal flu viruses and a second vaccine to protect against 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (sometimes called “swine flu”). You should get the flu shot vaccines for both seasonal and 2009 H1N1, and not the nasal spray type of vaccine.

Pneumococcal vaccine is also recommended for people with diabetes. One possible complication of flu can be pneumonia. A pneumonia (pneumococcal) vaccine should also be part of a diabetes management plan.

Everyone with diabetes aged 6 months and older should get the 2009 H1N1 flu shot and the seasonal flu shot, although at this time of year, seasonal flu vaccine supplies are limited. Close household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of people with diabetes should also get the vaccines. People can receive both flu shots at the same time.

People with diabetes should get the flu “shot" not the nasal spray type of vaccine. The flu shot is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The vaccine used in the shot is made from killed virus; you cannot catch the flu from the flu vaccine.

For more information about vaccine safety, please see vaccine safety. Talk to your health care provider for more information on getting both vaccines.

Take antiviral medications if your doctor recommends them

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (Relenza®) are antiviral drugs that your doctor may prescribe to fight the flu. They stop flu viruses from making more viruses in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious health problems that can result from flu illness. They work best when started within 2 days of getting sick, so talk with your health care provider now about what to do if you get a flu-like illness.

For more information, see www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/antivirals/.

Take everyday steps to protect your health

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
  • Have enough medications and supplies to last for a week in case you have to stay at home.

What to do if you have Diabetes and Symptoms of Flu

Talk with your doctor now about how to reach him or her quickly by telephone if you think you have the flu.

Symptoms of influenza can include:

People may be infected with the flu, including 2009 H1N1 flu and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.

Sick Day Guidelines for People with Diabetes

If you have diabetes and are sick with flu-like illness, you should follow these additional steps.

  • Call your doctor, who may prescribe medicine to fight the flu.
  • Continue to monitor your sugar.
  • Be sure to keep taking your diabetes pills or insulin. Don’t stop taking them even if you can’t eat. Illnesses like the flu can lead to high blood sugars. Your health care provider may adjust your diabetes medications based on your blood sugar records and clinical symptoms.
  • If you have flu symptoms, stay home or wherever you are visiting for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone (without the use of fever-reducing medicine).

See the following for more information:

How does diabetes affect how I respond to a cold or flu?

Being sick by itself can raise your blood glucose. Moreover, illness can prevent you from eating properly, which further affects blood glucose.

In addition, diabetes can make the immune system more vulnerable to severe cases of the flu. People with diabetes who come down with the flu may become very sick and may even have to go to a hospital. You can help keep yourself from getting the flu by getting a flu shot every year. Everyone with diabetes—even pregnant women—should get a yearly flu shot. The best time to get one is between October and mid-November, before the flu season begins.

See the following for more information:

What should I do when I am sick?

There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

  • Be sure to continue taking your diabetes pills or insulin. Don’t stop taking them even if you can’t eat. Your health care provider may even advise you to take more insulin during sickness.
  • Test your blood glucose every four hours, and keep track of the results.
  • Drink extra (calorie-free) liquids, and try to eat as you normally would. If you can’t, try to have soft foods and liquids containing the equivalent amount of carbohydrates that you usually consume.
  • Weigh yourself every day. Losing weight without trying is a sign of high blood glucose.
  • Check your temperature every morning and evening. A fever may be a sign of infection.

Call your health care provider or go to an emergency room if any of the following happen to you:

  • You feel too sick to eat normally and are unable to keep down food for more than 6 hours.
  • You're having severe diarrhea.
  • You lose 5 pounds or more.
  • Your temperature is over 101 degrees F.
  • Your blood glucose is lower than 60 mg/dL or remains over 300 mg/dL.
  • You have moderate or large amounts of ketones in your urine.
  • You're having trouble breathing.
  • You feel sleepy or can't think clearly.

See the following for more information:

Preparing for a Pandemic

One of the first steps in planning for a pandemic or other public health emergency is making sure you and your family, including pets, has a two-week supply of food, water and medication. It may be very difficult to get to a store or the stores may be out of supplies, so it will be important for you to have extra supplies on hand.

Visit the Emergency Supplies Kit for more information.

Read additional information to aid in the protection against the spread of Pandemic Influenza.

The American Red Cross and CDC have teamed up. Please visit the following website for information. http://www.redcross.org/preparedness/cdc_english/home.asp.

Hand Hygiene in Emergency Situations

After an emergency, it can be difficult to find running water. However, it is still important to wash your hands to avoid illness or infection, especially when testing your blood glucose or treating a wound.

See the following for more information:

Fact Sheets and Resources

Questions and Answers

Resources for Clinicians

Resources — Other CDC Websites

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The content on or accessible through Medpedia.com is for informational purposes only. Medpedia is not a substitute for professional advice or expert medical services from a qualified health professional. Read more

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