Doctors say that now is the time to vaccinate flu vaccine for patients with diabetes. It is for them that the flu is dangerous, since diabetic immunity is low, tissue trophy is disturbed, and metabolism is altered. This creates prerequisites for a more severe, complicated flu course in people with diabetes, which is why it is important for them to protect themselves from infection before the epidemic begins.
Weakening of immunity in diabetics
Flu vaccination is extremely important for diabetics, especially those suffering from this pathology for more than one year. This is due to the fact that the presence of diabetes can suppress the activity of immunity compared with those who do not have this pathology. Due to the fact that, along with all other tissues and organs, immunity also suffers, the flu of diabetics can be severe and with complications. An epidemic of influenza is expected very soon, and infection can be very easy with banal handshakes and stays in crowded places, touching door handles in public places or when in contact with other patients, for example, in an outpatient clinic.
If the patient is suffering diabetes, a flu vaccine is an important step that reduces the risk of morbidity by forming immunity to the influenza viruses contained in the vaccine.
What is dangerous is diabetes?
Although the flu vaccine is important for everyone, especially for children and the elderly, pregnant women, there are reasons why it is important to carry it out in advance, before the epidemic begins, especially during sugar diabetes. Thus, the presence of a long history of diabetes can lead to a sharp decrease in the activity of immunity in the fight against this infection and viral diseases (ARVI group) compared with those who do not have diabetes. If the patient also suffers from complications of diabetes, he becomes more vulnerable to serious viral infections and their complications, including pneumonia.
According to scientists and practitioners, if a patient has diabetes mellitus for more than one year, he risks dying from severe flu or its complications without proper vaccination. People with diabetes are often at greater risk of heart and lung disease, so complications from influenza infection such as pneumonia, bronchitis, pericarditis, encephalitis, or hemorrhagic syndrome can be fatal.
Flu vaccine: is it worth it?
Persons with chronic illnesses, including diabetics, belong to the category of persons who are recommended to be vaccinated against influenza to reduce the risk of infection and its severe course, fatal complications. It is free of charge, under the policy of compulsory insurance in any clinic at the request of the patient and the recommendation of the attending physician. Today, more and more people are getting flu shots to protect themselves from infection, but the vaccine coverage is still not enough.
Many people refuse flu vaccine or doubt the feasibility of its flu, because they have heard that it is not effective. The statements of friends or family members who received the vaccine, and then anyway get sick with the flu or a cold, can influence.
Flu and colds: is the risk high?
It is important to know that the vaccine will not protect against all possible viral infections during the epidemic season. It creates immunity against those strains of influenza that are predicted for the current season and introduced into the vaccine. Sometimes the virus mutates, and the flu that was expected is not at all. But the benefits of vaccination are definitely there.
Recent studies show that it reduces the incidence of influenza by 40-60%. It depends on how well the circulating viruses fit the vaccine against the flu. In any case, amid stimulation of the immune system with a vaccine, even “non-vaccine” flu will not be so severe and dangerous, reducing the risk of lethal complications. In addition, it was found that getting a vaccine reduces the risk of flu-related hospitalization among people with diabetes.
When and how to protect against infection?
The best time to guard against infection is usually September. If vaccination is carried out at the beginning of autumn prior to the beginning of the epidemic season, a stable immunity will be formed, and when the infection develops at full strength, protection will be maximum.
If there are temporary contraindications (ARVI, changes in well-being), immunization can be carried out until the end of October. You can get vaccinated later, as the flu season usually lasts until January or February or even later. But it must be borne in mind that the development of the minimum amount of protective antibodies will take two weeks after the vaccine against the infection was received.
What is important to know?
It is important to note right away that the flu vaccine has some side effects, including pain in the injection area, headache, fever, nausea and muscle pain. Some people even feel that they have a cold the next day after receiving the injection. But do not worry – the classic vaccine infection is not provoked, in modern preparations only fragments of viruses are used.
In addition to the flu vaccine, there are some other steps you can take to avoid getting sick:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water. Be sure to do this before insulin injections, check blood sugar levels and eat.
- You need to cough or sneeze, closing your handkerchief, and ask other family members to do the same. Do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, especially when visiting clinics, markets or shops. This is the easiest way to spread viruses.
- During the epidemic period, it is worth periodically disinfecting surfaces that may be contaminated. It can be a table, kitchen surfaces and telephones.
- Vaccinate against pneumococcal infection. In addition to the flu, a vaccine against pneumococcal infection is recommended for people over 65 and for anyone with diabetes. This is due to the fact that diabetes is more susceptible to viral infections, and pneumonia can be a complication of the flu.
It is important to plan an annual flu shot. This is due to the fact that influenza viruses change from year to year, and the previous vaccination will be ineffective next season.