Are Diabetic People More Prone To Severe COVID-19 Infection

  • by DiabetesHealthMatters


If we talk about the coronavirus, there is a lot of information available right now. Everyone in the world is actually worried about either spreading or contracting the virus. It is really terrifying for an average healthy individual. But, what about those who are high-risk? Dr. Anthony Fauci, a renowned American physician-scientist is of the opinion that elderly people suffering from chronic heart disease, chronic lung disease, diabetes, and kidney disease need special care amid this pandemic situation. Now, you might be thinking why diabetes is on this list when coronavirus is completely described as a respiratory illness? The WHO and Centres For Disease Control and Prevention have made a blanket statement that people having diabetes are at a higher risk amid this critical situation.

Popular American Actor Tom Hanks who has type-2 diabetes is diagnosed with coronavirus. It is bringing more attention as well as concern for those people who are living with diabetes. So, it is very important to know why coronavirus is more dangerous for diabetics.

Coronavirus Is More Dangerous To Diabetics
As we all know that diabetic is a kind of complicated disease. There are different types of diabetics and there are many ways to treat them. When someone is suffering from diabetes, the pancreas’s ability to produce insulin is completely or partially stopped. In the case of type 1 diabetes, insulin needs to be injected. Almost 10% of people living with diabetes are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common. In such a case, the person needs to take medicines. In some cases, the patients need to take both- insulin and medicines. There are several ways through which one can prevent type 2 diabetes that is also known as diabetes mellitus.

Now, in the case of type 2 diabetes, the blood glucose level in our body remains high. It can make people more vulnerable to other major illnesses. It is a really big matter of concern for the people living with diabetes. People having high blood glucose levels could be more vulnerable to coronavirus. Well, in spite of having the same immune system, a person with diabetics is more prone to severe COVID-19 infections than a normal person. It happens because the person with diabetics will also have to deal with high blood sugar levels. Keeping the blood sugar level in control can reduce the risk of contracting coronavirus. But, the chance of getting sick is still as likely as an average individual.

Well, it cannot be said that people living with diabetics are more likely to get coronavirus. But, it is quite obvious that if a person with type-2 diabetes is diagnosed with this novel coronavirus, the person will have to deal with the worst situations. The high blood sugar level actually suppresses the immune system and therefore, it makes people more vulnerable to infection. For example, wound healing in the case of diabetic patients takes a longer period of time. So, this is quite clear that people with diabetics should take this pandemic situation seriously.

So, as of now, you have understood why diabetic people are more prone to severe COVID-19 infection.

 


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