Infections are difficult to manage for a healthy person, let alone someone with diabetes. Illness can cause blood glucose levels to rise and makes managing those levels even more challenging.Now a study set to appear in the August 1 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases adds to the reservoir of clinical data supporting the notion that people with diabetes get sick more often than people without the disease.
The study found that people with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes had a greater risk for infection (specifically of the respiratory tract, urinary tract, and skin and mucous membranes) than people without diabetes.
The lead author of the study, Leonie Muller, advises physicians to "be aware of the fact that diabetes patients have an increased risk of common infections." She recommends that people with diabetes take preventative measures such as getting the flu vaccine, drinking plenty of fluids, and not hesitating to contact a physician at the earliest sign of an infection.
For a summary of the study:
Study Shows Increased Risk of Common Infections in Diabetic Patients
For the study itself (abstract only, subscription required for full article):
Increased Risk of Common Infections in Patients with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
