One of the diseases that often comes with the winter season is influenza, which is a respiratory tract infection caused by the influenza virus (Influenza Virus) found in the mucus, saliva, or phlegm of infected individuals. It can be transmitted through coughing, sneezing, and close contact. Therefore, diabetic patients should receive an annual flu vaccine to reduce the risk of severe complications from influenza.
Influenza
Common symptoms of influenza include:- High fever
- Headache
- Body aches
- Some cases may experience nausea and vomiting
The main treatment for influenza is symptomatic treatment, such as fever-reducing medications and adequate rest. Generally, patients who are healthy or have mild symptoms will improve within 5 days and fully recover within 7 – 10 days. However, patients who are at risk of complications, such as children, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases, may experience more severe symptoms and require more complex treatment. In some cases, it can be fatal. Diabetic patients are one of the high-risk chronic diseases due to abnormal immune system functions.
Diabetic Patients and Influenza
Academic evidence shows that diabetic patients with influenza are at a higher risk of severe complications, hospitalization, and death compared to non-diabetic individuals.
The American Diabetes Association Guideline 2016) recommends that all diabetic patients receive an annual flu vaccine to prevent influenza and reduce the risk of severe complications from the virus.
Currently, the Quadrivalent influenza vaccine (covering four strains) has been developed, which includes both A strains H1N1 and H3N2, and two B strains, Victoria and Yamagata. Based on data from the use of Quadrivalent influenza vaccine in the United States during 2001 – 2008, it was found to reduce the incidence of influenza, hospitalization rates, and death rates.
Clinical studies on the use of the influenza vaccine in diabetic patients have shown that diabetic patients who receive the vaccine significantly reduce hospitalization rates from all causes, including influenza and pneumonia, compared to those who did not receive the vaccine.
Especially in diabetic patients aged 65 years and over, those who received the flu vaccine were significantly protected against hospitalization from all causes, hospitalization from influenza and pneumonia, and death from all causes compared to those who were not vaccinated.
Therefore, for those who have diabetes or have family members with diabetes, it is recommended to get vaccinated to prevent influenza at the beginning of the winter season.
