How a Mild Flu Can Be Lethal with Diabetes

Individuals with diabetes are usually at a higher risk if they catch a flu (or influenza) because it can pose immense difficulties when it comes to the management of diabetes. Even a mild flu can prove to be lethal in those with diabetes. Let us see how.

What is Flu?

Flu is an infection caused by a virus that can be easily caught via inhalation of small droplets that are released in the air when someone with flu coughs or sneezes nearby.

Flu and Diabetes

An extremely dangerous complication of flu is the development of pneumonia, and those with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing this complication in comparison with those without diabetes.

Flu as well as other viral infections can cause blood sugar levels to increase. This can eventually increase the risk of severe short-term complications, such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic State (HHS).

Symptoms of Flu

Symptoms of flu can occur rapidly such as:

• Fever
• Headache
• Severe joint ache
• Muscle ache
• Ache around the eyes
• Dry cough
• Warm and flushed skin
• Sore Throat
• Discharge from the nose

Flu Complications

Flu can cause infections in the chest, which could develop into pneumonia. That said, some rarer complications include meningitis, tonsillitis, and encephalitis.

Flu can be lethal, causing around 600 deaths each year. In the midst of an epidemic, flu can lead to deaths of thousands of individuals in a single year.

Medications for Diabetes and Flu

Certain OTC (over the counter) medications for flu are quite suitable for those with diabetes. 

For example, some medications for flu contain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as ibuprofen, which are not generally recommended for those with diabetes as they may increase the risk of stroke and heart problems slightly.

Several flu medications may contain a considerable high level of sugar, which may lead to a certain amount of difficulty in the management of blood glucose levels. Low-sugar versions are generally available; so, you need to consult your doctor. 

You need to keep in mind that flu medications only treat the symptoms, while the body thwarts the attack from the virus.

How Flu Affects Blood Sugar Levels

Flu with diabetes is a dangerous combination because flu tends to cause an increase in blood sugar levels. Moreover, those diabetics who are on medications that can lead to hypoglycaemia could be at risk of developing a steep fall in blood sugar levels if lack of sufficient carbs is taken during recovery.

If you have diabetes and get infected with flu, it is essential to check your blood sugar levels more often than usual. While you have flu, check these levels as frequently as possible because the feelings of being ill can eventually mask the symptoms of low or high blood sugar. Because of this, you may develop hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia without you realising it, both of which are extremely serious conditions, if not treated promptly.

Frequency of testing blood glucose levels depends on your specific circumstances and the medications that you intake. If you are on hypoglycaemia-causing medications, it is recommended to test every few hours to successfully monitor whether your blood sugar levels are increasing or decreasing.

If you are not on any hypoglycaemia-causing medications, blood glucose testing is still useful to ensure that your sugar levels do not reach abnormally high levels.

Diabetes, Ketones, and Flu

If you are on insulin, it is recommended to check for presence of ketones if blood sugar levels rise above 240 mg/dL (milligrams per decilitre). If the number of ketones reaches an extremely high level, there is a possibility of falling into a diabetic coma, which can be fatal when left untreated.

Level of ketones needs to be checked regularly, and your healthcare professional is the most apt person to inform you about testing for ketones.

Diet for Diabetes with Flu

Most individuals with diabetes do not feel hungry or thirsty if they have caught the flu infection. That said, it is crucial to continue consuming a healthy, wholesome diet with sufficient fluid intake to successfully manage your blood sugar levels and diabetes. In an ideal scenario, you should not vary your regular meal plan too often.

If you are not able to eat, it is recommended to consume carbohydrate-rich drinks to provide sufficient energy to your body. You need to keep monitoring your blood sugar levels closely and ask your healthcare team when you need advice in optimum management of blood sugar levels.

Avoiding Flu

Ensure that you and your family members wash hands frequently. Your best move is taking a flu vaccine each year. The CDC (Centre for Disease Control) recommends that each individual aged six months and older must take a flu shot. Therefore, if you have a child with diabetes, ensure that they get the vaccine.

A flu vaccine can help in preventing several types of flu or keeping flu viruses from making you unwell. Although the ideal time to take the vaccine is during the month of September, you can take a flu shot at any point in time during the flu season.

Persuade family members, close friends, and co-workers to get the flu shot, too. You are less likely to catch a flu if those around you do not have it.

To Sum It Up:

The combination of diabetes and flu can be lethal because the infection can raise your blood sugar levels. There is also an imminent risk of developing hypoglycaemia when you intake certain diabetes medications. You need to frequently check your blood sugar levels because the chances of developing hyperglycaemia or hypoglycaemia are extremely high. To avoid complications altogether, you must consider taking a flu vaccine once every year.

References:

• https://www.diabetes.co.uk/flu-and-diabetes.html
• https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/cold-flu-treatments-diabetes