Cold, Flu, & Illness

Along with the cooler weather and colorful leaves of Fall comes the beginning of cold and flu season. Traditionally, October and November are the months to get vaccinated against the flu, a potentially deadly and highly contagious disease. But flu season can last as late as May.

The flu is a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. For people with diabetes, this illness can impair the immune system and cause serious complications. People with diabetes who develop the flu are also at a high risk for developing pneumonia. They are also three times more likely to die from influenza or pneumonia than people who don't have diabetes. They are also six times more likely to be hospitalized due to flu complications. For these reasons, everyone with diabetes should get a flu immunization as soon as the annual vaccine becomes available.

2012/2013 UPDATE: 
Flu season got an early start this season, prompting medical experts to urge people not skip their yearly vaccination. This season's most problematic strain is the H3N2 virus, and according to the CDC this year's flu vaccine is well-matched to this strain of the flu virus. This was the predominant strain in 2003/04, the last time the flu was this damaging. The vaccine created to fight this version of the flu is composed of three flu virus strains that are the best possible match against it, making vaccinations your best bet for greatly decreasing your risk of developing the flu.

The following information was last reviewed for updates 01/09/13.

Reviewed by Jason C. Baker, M.D. 01/13.