The flu affects the blood glucose level (sugar)

The flu can alter glucose levels in people with diabetes, so, experts from the Spanish Diabetes Society (SED) and the group study group (GEG) advise vaccination, since they consider that they can avoid even79 percent of hospitalizations in this group.

In this way, the SED secretary, Dr. José Ángel Díaz, acknowledges that the flu in a person with diabetes can be serious difficulties in fulfilling his dietary and pharmacological regime, "two essential aspects to maintain glycemia at levels at levelsadequate ".

Specifically, in the case of diabetes, specialists speak of a 'vicious circle' in which hyperglycemia weakens the immune functions of the organism and therefore increases the possibility of infection.At the same time, it is infections that can involve an increase in blood glucose in patients.

Importance of the vaccine

However, the 2012 Vaccination Consensus of Risk Groups against the flu virus, prepared by various scientific societies, such as thirst and GEG, emphasizes their anti -shed immunization.

The flu vaccination data of the 2011-2012 campaign, extracted by the GEG through the gripometer, reveal that, although people with diabetes are one of the most aware risk groups with vaccination-76.5% of theDiabetics over 65 and 47.5% of diabetics under 65 were vaccinated in the last campaign-, specialists insist that it is necessary that it is necessary to encourage more immunization between this group due to the important complications that this infection can cause.

"It is more than recommended that diabetic patients get vaccinated, since their immune system is especially weak and the flu may appear strongly and generate complications," insisted Dr. Ramón Cisterna, coordinator of the Flu Study Group.

Every year, the flu affects between 5 and 15 percent of the world's population.In Spain, it is estimated that it is the direct and indirect responsible for between 1,500 and 4,000 deaths every year.Annual flu epidemics can affect all age groups, although those who have the highest risk of complications are children under 2, those over 65, pregnant women and people of all ages in risk groups.