Am I more likely to get swine flu if I have diabetes?

Diabetes and swine flu are not associated. If you have diabetes, there is no greater likelihood of you developing swine flu.

However, those people with diabetes that develop swine flu may find blood sugar levels become affected, and diabetes management and treated must be adjusted accordingly. If you are diagnosed with swine flu and you have diabetes, your doctor or healthcare professional will provide you with guidance.


Which people are most vulnerable from swine flu?

Those who are more at risk from becoming seriously ill with swine flu are:
* people with chronic lung disease, including people who have had drug treatment
for their asthma within the past three years,
* people with chronic heart disease,
* people with chronic kidney disease,
* people with chronic liver disease,
* people with chronic neurological disease (neurological disorders include motor
neurone disease, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis),
* people with suppressed immune systems (whether caused by disease or treatment),
* people with diabetes,
* pregnant women,
* people aged 65 years and older, and
* young children under five years old.

For specific advice on antiviral treatment for these groups, go to People with long-term conditions, Pregnancy and children and Older people.

People with diabetes need to take special precautions when they are sick, and the recent swine flu outbreak is no exception. The Center for Disease Control has special recommendations that people with chronic health condition such as diabetes who have had known exposure to someone with a confirmed or suspected case of swine flu go on a course of antiviral medication.