Diabetes Awareness: American Diabetes Assoc. · Taking Control Of Your Diabetes · New Jersey Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (Donate)
Source: Diabetes.org
People with diabetes are not more likely to get COVID-19 than the general population. In China, where most cases have occurred so far, people with diabetes had much higher rates of serious complications and death than people without diabetes—and generally we believe that the more health conditions someone has (for example, diabetes and heart disease), the higher their chance of getting serious complications from COVID-19.
When people with diabetes do not manage their diabetes well and experience fluctuating blood sugars. Having heart disease or other complications in addition to diabetes could worsen the chance of getting seriously ill from COVID-19, like other viral infections, because your body’s ability to fight off an infection is compromised. Viral infections can also increase inflammation, or internal swelling, in people with diabetes. But if diabetes is well-managed, the risk of getting severely sick from COVID-19 is about the same as the general population.
Currently, there is no reason to think COVID-19 will pose a difference in risk between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. More important is that people with either type of diabetes vary in their age, complications and how well they have been managing their diabetes.
For people with underlying health conditions, including diabetes, healthy family members in the household should conduct themselves as if they were a significant risk to them. For example, they should be sure to wash their hands before feeding or caring for them. If possible, a protected space should be made available for vulnerable household members, and all utensils and surfaces should be cleaned regularly.
If a member of your household is sick, be sure to give them their own room, if possible, and keep the door closed. Have only one family member care for them, and consider providing additional protections or more intensive care for household members over 65 years old or with underlying health conditions.
Leading manufacturers are reporting that COVID-19 is not having an impact on their current manufacturing and distribution capabilities for insulin and other supplies at this time.
If you are struggling to pay for insulin or know someone who is, visit InsulinHelp.org.