Diabetes mellitus is one of the commonest metabolic disorder which affects mankind, the count stands at around 77 million people in India. Diabetes is a high risk state with low immunity. In the wake of the present pandemic of corona viral disease it has been suggested that people with diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and respiratory diseases have a higher risk of mortality.
Notwithstanding the above, a few points have to be remembered.
- Covid-19 does not have special predilection for diabetic patients, so diabetics have an equal chance of getting the disease as in those without diabetes.
- The Corona virus disease results in a flu like state with fever, dry cough and shortness of breath. It is generally a mild disease (more than 80%), however in a sizeable number of patients it could be severe.
- People with diabetes especially those with poor glycemic control have an increased tendency to get certain infections. Therefore avoidance of infections is an important goal.
What to do to prevent Corona infection ?
- Try to avoid coming in contact with people having flu like symptoms and new cough with fever. Since the virus can be spread by people who do not show symptoms avoid visiting people and crowded spaces. Stay at home until very necessary to go out. Keep at least 6 feet distance from people whom you interact with, whether sick or not sick.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly for more than 20 seconds with soap and water/70% alcohol based sanitizer.
- Sanitize door knobs ,handles ,mobile phones, laptops, keys and all surfaces or objects which you touch.
- Do not touch your face, eyes, nose , mouth. Do not smoke.
- Sneeze or cough in your sleeves or handkerchief or tissues and dispose them in closed garbage can, after which wash your hands.
- If you develop fever, cough, shortness of breath phone your doctor and follow his advise and segregate yourself from other members of your family.
- Keep your blood sugars controlled to as normal levels as possible.
- Do not stop your diabetes drugs since you have another illness. Continue your medicine and consult the doctor.
- Keep a chart of your medicine and the dose you are taking.
- Since there is a lockdown going on keep at least 1 month supply of medicine with you. Have an extra availability of soaps and sanitizers with you.
- Often one gets low blood sugars due to change in diet or drugs prescribed for the other illnesses: keep glucose handy for such symptoms.
- Have injection glucagon available , lest blood sugar goes too low.
- If you are Type I diabetic, keep testing for acetone regularly by ketostix.
- In case blood sugars go haywire do not rush to the doctor’s office ,first call him, he may adjust the doses on phone.
- All diabetics must get an influenza and pneumonia vaccination. Since there is no vaccination for COVID 19 one has to wait for the same .
- Is there any drug like hydroxychloroquine or azithromycin which can be taken as prophylaxis against corona in diabetes mellitus? This is not yet confirmed as to what role these drugs can play in preventing COVID 19 disease.
Please note- You must sanitize the drug packet you received from the chemist and also wash your hands before and after taking medicines/insulin injection.
Stay healthy. Stay Safe.
