Don't Forget Your Flu Shot

It's important for people who have chronic illnesses to receive a flu shot every year. When a chronic illness like diabetes is in the picture it's harder for the immune system to ward off the flu. Not only that, but the flu can affect blood sugar levels because the body is under stress trying to fight off the infection.

• Tips For Sick Days

Children with diabetes are also considered "high risk" when it comes to getting the flu. Schedule your child's flu shot as soon as possible.

• Tips For Handling Your Child's Sick Days

It's also a good idea for people with diabetes to get a pneumococcal vaccine too. Pneumonia can become a serious complication of the flu. The vaccine guards against over 20 different kinds of pneumonia viruses and one vaccination protects for many years.

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