All of us are trying to stay healthy and safe as COVID-19 continues to be a factor in our daily lives. You may have heard that people with certain conditions are more likely to become seriously ill if infected with the highly contagious virus. This includes members of our community with diabetes.
“Diabetes increases the risk for pneumonia and viral illness in general,” said Dr. Richard Pratley, a nationally-recognized diabetes expert and medical director at the AdventHealth Diabetes Institute. The disease is associated with a higher risk of illness and even death from COVID-19 because it negatively impacts the immune system’s ability to fight any illness.
“Those with diabetes can have decreased innate and adaptive immunity, decreased cell-mediated immunity, ineffective viral clearance, and impaired T-cell function due to hyperglycemia,” said Pratley.
Talk to Your Doctor
Having any illness, including COVID-19, can affect your blood sugar level. As a result, your physician may advise that you check your blood sugar more often. Keeping your blood sugar level under control is one of the best ways to stay healthy even when you aren’t at risk for a serious illness. Your doctor can also advise you of other ways to help protect yourself. This includes sticking to your diabetes care plan.
Your diabetes care plan should include:
- Keeping your blood sugar level under control
- Checking your feet every day
- Eating healthy foods and eating out less
- Having an effective balance of food and exercise
- Taking your medicine as prescribed
- Managing stress
- Getting your annual flu shot
Dr. Pratley also advises joining a virtual diabetes education class, like those being offered through the AdventHealth Diabetes Institute, and considering a virtual doctor’s visit if you need to see your provider but don’t feel comfortable going to their office.
“There are telemedicine opportunities for individuals with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes,” he said, adding that AdventHealth offers support for patients with Type 1 diabetes who have lost their jobs and are at greater risk for complications. Through interactive education including group classes and individual counseling, you can learn more about the disease and gain confidence in your ability to manage your blood sugar on a daily basis. And of course, don’t hesitate to contact your care team if you have questions about your diabetes.
Reduce Your Risk
Obviously, your best defense against getting sick is avoiding the virus altogether. If you have diabetes or another condition that raises your risk for a serious illness, follow recommended safety protocols and keep a good supply of medicines and supplies on hand. And if you start to feel ill, reach out to your physician without delay, especially if you experience fever, dry cough, or shortness of breath, which are all symptoms of COVID-19.
Learn about diabetes education courses offered at AdventHealth by visiting AdventHealthDiabetesInstitute.com.
About Dr. Pratley
Richard Pratley, M.D., serves as medical director at the AdventHealth Diabetes Institute and senior investigator at the AdventHealth Translational Research Institute. He and the specialists at AdventHealth Medical Group Diabetes & Endocrinology at Orlando provide compassionate care with a focus on healthy lifestyles and the prevention of complications related to diabetes.
