News & Information
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Important H1N1 Flu Resources |
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H1N1 Flu Information
Diabetes and Flu (both seasonal and 2009 H1N1) Information
CDC’s Overarching messages fit with the Division of Diabetes
Translation’s (DDT) messages
- This year, more than ever, do all you can to protect yourself and
others from the flu. Keep informed, wash your hands often, cover your
coughs and sneezes, keep sick people home from work or school, and get
yourself and your family vaccinated against seasonal flu and, if
recommended, the 2009 H1N1 flu virus.
- Influenza is unpredictable, but scientists believe that the 2009
H1N1 flu virus will cause more illness, hospital stays, and deaths in
the United States during the coming months. Approximately 70% of persons
hospitalized from 2009 H1N1 influenza have had a recognized high risk
condition (approximately 60% of children and approximately 80% among
adults). These high risk conditions are the same conditions that
increase the risk of complications from seasonal influenza infection and
include people who have a metabolic disorder such as diabetes.
- Complications of flu include worsening of chronic medical conditions
such as diabetes. Persons with diabetes may have abnormal immune
function that can lead to increased risk of complications from influenza
infection. Influenza may also interfere with blood glucose management.
- People with diabetes are six times more likely to be hospitalized
with seasonal influenza complications and almost three times more likely
to die.
Vaccine Information: Seasonal and 2009 H1N1 Influenza
- Take time to get vaccinated against influenza. The CDC recommends
seasonal influenza vaccine annually to all persons with diabetes six months
of age and older and influenza vaccination for close household contacts and
out-of-home caregivers of anyone with diabetes.
- Getting a regular flu vaccine is part of an overall diabetes
management plan. CDC recommends that you get your regular flu vaccine now.
- Even if you receive the seasonal vaccine early in the season, the
protection you get from the vaccine will not wear off before the flu season
is over.
- The goal is to vaccinate all people with the 2009 Hh1N1 vaccine
but people with diabetes are in the priority group since they may be at
higher risk for complications from 2009 H1N1 influenza.
- People who have diabetes in the age group 6 months though age 64,
are in the high priority group to receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it
becomes available in the upcoming weeks. Talk to your health-care provider.
- People with diabetes should get the “injection” type of vaccine,
NOT the “live” nasal mist type of vaccine for both seasonal flu and 2009
H1N1 influenza vaccines.
- People can receive both vaccines in the injectable form (the
seasonal flu vaccine and the 2009 H1N1) at the same time.
- While people 65 years and older aren’t included in the high risk
groups to be prioritized for 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccination, they can get
the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine as soon as the high-risk groups have had the
opportunity to be vaccinated and should not delay in seeking medical
treatment if they develop symptoms of influenza. They definitely need the
annual flu shot right now.
2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Safety
- We expect the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine to have a similar safety
profile as seasonal flu vaccines, which have a very good safety track
record.
- CDC expects that any serious side effects following vaccination
with the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine would be rare.
- If side effects occur, they will likely be similar to those
experienced following seasonal influenza vaccine.
- The CDC and FDA closely monitor the safety of seasonal influenza
and other vaccines licensed for use in the United States in cooperation with
state and local health departments, healthcare providers, and other
partners.
- Influenza Vaccine Is Safe and Effective. Influenza vaccination is
the most effective intervention for reducing the impact of influenza.
Studies have shown seasonal influenza vaccination is associated with a 72%
reduction in hospitalizations and death in persons with diabetes 18 to 64
years.
- A pneumonia (pneumococcal) vaccine should also be part of a
diabetes management plan. Check with your health care provider.
Vaccine FAQs
How many doses of the H1N1 vaccine are required?
Children under the age of 10 years should receive two doses of the
2009 H1N1 vaccine. CDC recommends that the two doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine be
separated by 4 weeks. However, if the second dose is separated from the
first dose by at least 21 days, the second dose can be considered valid.
Can patients who are allergic to eggs receive the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine?
Persons who have had symptoms such as hives or swelling of the
lips or tongue, or who have experienced acute respiratory distress after
eating eggs, should consult a physician for appropriate evaluation to help
determine if influenza vaccine should be administered.
Can individuals with a latex allergy receive the vaccine?
Information about immunization for individuals with a allergy to
latex can be found on the package insert for the vaccine. Multi-dose vial
rubber stoppers and syringe plunger tips may contain a small amount of
latex. Ask individuals what type of reaction they have to latex.
Can contacts of people with weakened immune systems get the nasal-spray
flu vaccine?
People who are in contact with others with severely weakened
immune systems when they are being cared for in a protective environment
(for example, people with hematopoietic stem cell transplants), should not
get the nasal spray vaccine, including the 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine if
they will come into contact with the severely immunocompromised person
within 7 days of vaccination[lb3] . People who have contact with others with
lesser degrees of immunosuppression (for example, people with diabetes,
people with asthma taking corticosteroids, or people infected with HIV) can
get the nasal spray vaccine.
Antiviral Medication Information
Take antiviral drugs if your doctor says you need them.
On September 8, 2009, CDC issued updated recommendations for the use of
antiviral drugs in the treatment and prevention of influenza. This guidance
is available at
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/recommendations.htm.
A Question & Answer document is posted at
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/antiviral.htm.
Are there medicines to treat 2009 H1N1 infection
- Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza)
for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with novel H1N1 flu
virus.
- Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an
inhaled powder) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from
reproducing in your body.
- If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and
make you feel better faster.
- Anti-viral drugs may also prevent serious flu complications.
- During the current pandemic, the priority use for
influenza
antiviral drugs is to treat severe influenza illness (for example
hospitalized patients) and people who are sick who have a condition that
places them at high risk for serious flu-related complications. This
includes people with diabetes.
- They should seek early medical evaluation as antiviral medications
work best if started within 2 days of symptom onset.
- The general public should understand that the priority use for
influenza antiviral medications this season is to treat severe influenza
illness (for example hospitalized patients) and people who are sick or
who have a condition that places them at high risk for serious
flu-related complications.
How does diabetes affect how I respond to a cold or flu??
Being sick by itself can raise your blood glucose. Moreover, illness can
prevent you from eating properly, which further affects blood glucose.
In addition, diabetes can make the immune system more vulnerable to
severe cases of the flu. People with diabetes who come down with the flu may
become very sick and may even have to go to a hospital. You can help keep
yourself from getting the flu by getting a flu shot every year. Everyone
with diabetes—even pregnant women—should get a yearly flu shot. The best
time to get one is between October and mid-November, before the flu season
begins.
See the following for more information:
What should I do when I am sick?
There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy. Try to avoid
close contact with sick people.
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing
or sneezing of infected people. If you get sick, CDC recommends that you
stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from
infecting them.
- Be sure to continue taking your diabetes pills or insulin. Don’t
stop taking them even if you can’t eat. Your health care provider may
even advise you to take more insulin during sickness.
- Test your blood glucose every four hours, and keep track of the
results.
- Drink extra (calorie-free) liquids, and try to eat as you normally
would. If you can’t, try to have soft foods and liquids containing the
equivalent amount of carbohydrates that you usually consume.
- Weigh yourself every day. Losing weight without trying is a sign of
high blood glucose.
- Check your temperature every morning and evening. A fever may be a
sign of infection.
Call your health care provider or go to an emergency room if any of the
following happen to you:
- You feel too sick to eat normally and are unable to
keep down food for more than 6 hours.
- You're having severe diarrhea.
- You lose 5 pounds or more.
- Your temperature is over 101 degrees F.
- Your blood glucose is lower than 60 mg/dL or
remains over 300 mg/dL.
- You have moderate or large amounts of ketones in
your urine.
- You're having trouble breathing.
- You feel sleepy or can't think clearly.
See the following for more information:
Preparing for a Pandemic
One of the first steps in planning for a pandemic or other public health
emergency is making sure you and your family, including pets, has a two-week
supply of food, water and medication. It may be very difficult to get to a
store or the stores may be out of supplies, so it will be important for you
to have extra supplies on hand.
Visit the
Emergency Supplies Kit for more information.
Read additional information to aid in the protection against the spread of
Pandemic Influenza at
http://pandemicflu.gov/plan/individual/familyguide.html.
The American Red Cross and CDC have teamed up. Please visit the following
website for information.
http://www.redcross.org/preparedness/cdc_english/home.asp*.
Hand Hygiene in Emergency Situations
After an emergency, it can be difficult to find running water. However, it is
still important to wash your hands to avoid illness or infection, especially
when testing your blood glucose or treating a wound.
See the following for more information:
Fact Sheets and Resources
Diabetes and the Flu
People at High
Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications
Key Facts About 2009 H1N1 Flu Vaccine
Questions and Answers
Resources for Clinicians
Resources — Other CDC Websites
* Links to non-Federal organizations are provided solely as a service
to our users. Links do not constitute an endorsement of any organization
by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. The CDC
is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web
pages found at this link.
Page last reviewed: October 16, 2009
Page last modified: October 16, 2009
Content Source: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Division of Diabetes Translation
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Diabetes & Me
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