Flu and People with Diabetes

Increased Risk from Flu

People with diabetes (type 1 and 2), even when well-managed, are at increased risk of severe disease and complications, like hospitalization and even death, as a result of getting the flu. This is because diabetes can make the immune system less able to fight severe influenza disease. In addition, illness can raise your blood sugar level. Also, sometimes people don’t feel like eating when they are sick, and this can cause blood sugar levels to rise and fall.

Vaccination is the Best Protection against Flu

CDC recommends that people with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, who are 6 months and older, get a flu shot. (The nasal spray vaccine should not be given to people with diabetes.)
People with type 1 or type 2 diabetes are at an increased risk of developing pneumonia from the flu, therefore a pneumonia (pneumococcal) vaccine is also recommended for them. A pneumonia vaccine should be part of a diabetes management plan.