Can diabetics get the flu worse?

People with type 2 diabetes or higher are in a group that is more likely to get worse from the flu. Diabetes causes immunodeficiency, making it easier for viruses to invade and attack the body, causing serious illness. Natural defense mechanisms require the body to provide glucose to fight infection. This mechanism also stimulates the release of hormones that reduce the effectiveness of insulin, making blood sugar control more difficult, increasing the risk of ketoacidosis – a condition that occurs when the patient’s body produces too much acid in the blood. blood, can cause death.

Aging also increases the risk of severe flu. The virus can enter the lower respiratory tract causing pneumonia or other complications such as myocarditis, meningitis…

To prevent diabetes, vaccination is an important measure. The US CDC estimates that flu vaccination helps reduce the number of people with diabetes being hospitalized by 79%. In a meta-analysis by scientists at the University of Toronto (Canada), people with diabetes who received the flu vaccine had a 24% lower mortality rate than people who were not vaccinated.

Vietnam currently has a new generation quadrivalent influenza vaccine such as Vaxigrip Tetra (France), Influvac Tetra (Netherlands) to prevent 4 common dangerous strains of influenza virus: influenza A (H1N1 and H3N2) and influenza B (Yamagata and Victoria). . The flu vaccine requires a booster shot once a year to achieve maximum immunity.

In addition to vaccination, diabetics need to maintain blood sugar control, have a healthy diet, exercise regularly, maintain hygiene and avoid contact with people with the flu. When going to crowded places, wear a mask. face mask.

According to the Ministry of Health, diabetes is one of the common causes of disability and premature death in many countries, the leading cause of blindness, cardiovascular disease, kidney failure… This agency reports this year. In 2021, the incidence of diabetes in adults is estimated at 7.1%, equivalent to nearly 5 million people.