← Return to COVID-19 and risk for people with Diabetes & Diabetic Neuropathy
DiscussionCOVID-19 and risk for people with Diabetes & Diabetic Neuropathy
Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 | Last Active: May 9, 2020 | Replies (47)Comment receiving replies
Replies to "I read that I am at risk for Corona if I have Diabetes. If me Diabetes..."
I think what they are referring to is your immunity system, and how well you can heal. I read that diabetics, not well controlled, heal more slowly, so that would be a risk factor. Also, your blood tests show that you may be deficient in nutrients, such as vitamin D, and that is a factor. You are not considered a sick person as such, but may be a person who picks up communicable diseases more easily. If I have a cut which could get infected, and it heals as fast as it ever did in my youth, I consider myself pretty healthy, since I eat such a good diet for me. I have a lifetime of allergies, and that concerns me because the allergies affect my sinuses and my breathing, which the virus does as well. If I lived next door, I wouldn't be afraid to come over. Our underlying conditions are not easy to diagnose, but my son was told to work on his immunity system after his radiation treatments, because radiation kills good cells as well as bad cells.
We "vulnerable" people need to be careful of contagious health risks, especially if we are older. The health world wants us off their lists of people to worry about and care for. I stay home because it gives my children less worry. Dorisena
@drboat, you'll notice that I moved your message to this discussion about COVID-19 and risk for people with Diabetes.
You ask a very good question: "Am I still at risk for the coronavirus if my diabetes is well controlled."
The American Diabetes Association has a good FAQ page that helps answer your question.
- How COVID-19 Impacts People with Diabetes https://www.diabetes.org/coronavirus-covid-19/how-coronavirus-impacts-people-with-diabetes
In this excerpt, the article says:
"People with diabetes are not more likely to get COVID-19 than the general population. The problem people with diabetes face is primarily a problem of worse outcomes, not greater chance of contracting the virus. ... Your risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 is likely to be lower if your diabetes is well-managed. ..."
So, in short practise physical and social distancing and good hand hygiene and all precautions to avoid getting the virus. And continue to manage your diabetes. These are things in your control.
@drboat, are you finding it a challenge to manage your diabetes given the lockdown restrictions? Are you getting enough exercise?
@drboat Good question, one I would like to see answered myself. I figure that they won't look at how well controlled my diabetes is, they will just label me as being diabetic despite my numbers being stellar. When the crisis has diminished somewhat hopefully that will be less true.
JK