Diabetes and the flu: 5 tips for prevention (and treatment)

As the media increasingly focuses on COVID-19 numbers, the connection between diabetes and the flu seemingly isn't getting the attention it deserves. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people with diabetes are at a "high risk of serious flu complications, which can result in hospitalization and sometimes even death."

That may sound just a little alarming, but it speaks to the seriousness of the condition.

If you live with diabetes, you're not at a higher risk of contracting the flu — but the CDC noted you may be at a greater risk of experiencing complications if infected. So, it's crucial that you do everything you can to prevent a flu infection and its related issues, which can include pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus and ear infections, and other problems.

Fortunately, there are many effective ways to both reduce the risk of flu and to treat it. Here are five evidence-based tips for flu prevention.

1. Get the flu vaccine

Flu vaccines are recommended for all Americans, but they're especially important for people living with diabetes. A study in Epidemiology & Infection showed that flu vaccines reduced hospitalizations by 79% among people with diabetes.

The best time to get a flu shot is a few weeks before the start of flu season, which runs from October to May and peaks between December and February. But getting the vaccine any time during flu season is better than skipping it, Diabetes Forecast advised.

2. Try extra hard to manage blood sugars

Managing your diabetes during flu season is critically important.

Avoiding high blood sugars helps your immune system fight infections like the flu virus, noted Dr. Mariela Glandt, an endocrinologist at Columbia University. Also, the more you stay within the range of your blood glucose targets and avoid "glycemic variability" (when blood sugar levels swoop up and down), the less susceptible you'll be to severe influenza, according to a study in mBio.

That's why it's a good idea to make sure you have the diabetes technology you need during flu season, such as testing supplies and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs).

3. Give bone broth a try

It turns out your grandmother was right about something else: Chicken soup may help you fight the flu! There's a scientific basis for using bone broth — once thought to be an old-fashioned remedy — to fight some illnesses.

A study published in the journal Chest showed that "chicken soup may contain a number of substances with beneficial medicinal activity." The researchers observed that people eating chicken soup experienced a mild reduction in inflammation, which helped reduce symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection.

Another study in Chest found that chicken soup can be more effective at preventing nasal mucous and increasing airflow than simply drinking hot or cold water. While it's important to stay hydrated while fighting the flu, opting for chicken soup may help you get back in action faster than if you stick with good old-fashioned water.

4. Wash your hands … a lot

Many of the same widely publicized tips you've heard about avoiding the novel coronavirus also apply to the flu. For example, washing your hands with soap thoroughly (and often) can help kill the viruses that cause the flu as well as the coronavirus. If soap and water aren't available, the CDC suggested opting for "an alcohol-based hand rub."

Keep in mind that hand sanitizer might not be as effective as hand-washing. Researchers found that washing hands under running water removed the flu virus faster than a dab of alcohol sanitizer, according to a study in mSphere.

5. Practice social distancing

Another tried and true way to protect yourself against contagious diseases is to avoid close contact with people who are sick. That's why public health experts urge the practice of social distancing to stop the spread of COVID-19. The same precautionary steps apply to the flu.

For that matter, wearing a cloth mask can also help to prevent you from contracting both the flu and the coronavirus. In a study in PLoS Pathogens, researchers found that masks led to a reduction in how much flu virus was spread into the respiratory airwaves.

Steps to take if you get the flu

If the flu virus strikes, follow the standard diabetes guidelines for sick days. As explained by the JDRF and the CDC, tips for successfully navigating diabetes and the flu include:

Take the normal amount of insulin. Even if you feel differently, your body still requires the same amount of insulin as usual.
Monitor blood sugar frequently. This is important because infections can cause blood sugar to spike upward. Try doing a finger stick test for blood glucose at least every four hours. If you have a CGM, check it often.
Test for ketones. When found at high levels, ketones can be dangerous because they can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis. Keep an eye on your levels while you recuperate, and reach out to your doctor if you experience a spike.
Stay hydrated. The CDC recommended consuming 4 to 6 ounces of fluids every half-hour. If you have trouble holding down food, you can also drink beverages with sugar to make sure you get enough carbohydrates.
Be selective about over-the-counter medications. Some so-called "sugar-free" cough syrups actually contain sugar, so consider taking pills if they don't contain carbohydrates.
Don't push yourself. Stay home and get plenty of rest! This can be a good way to reduce the duration of the sickness (and avoid infecting others).