Hi Iostonrye.... I think here, the HIN1 flu is the major concern. It has become a pandemic, so they say and are trying to get flu shots by the fall, first for the ones that would be at more risk, of which you are right, diabetics are one.. not pre diabetics. All diabetics as you say are more susceptible, I dont know why, except their immune systems dont work as well.
Enjoy your grapefuit... ewww.. so bitter to me

According to the CDC reports, on June 11, 2009 WHO declared the N1H1 (Swine flu) a pandemic. This terminology was chosen as a reflection of the spread of the new H1N1 virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus. Also indicating that most people who have become ill have recovered without requiring medical treatment.

Because it is spread human to human via sneezing and coughing, guidelines include:

Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
Find healthy ways to deal with stress and anxiety.
Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.

The CDC also recommends overall that Diabetics handle influenza as any other person. Avoiding infected people. Regular hand washing. Rest if fatigued. Drinking plenty of fluids and eating a balanced diet.

Some illness specific management criteria are:

CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Be sure to continue taking your diabetes pills or insulin. Dont stop taking them even if you cant eat. Your health care provider may even advise you to take more insulin during sickness.
Test your blood glucose every four hours, and keep track of the results.
Drink extra (calorie-free) liquids, and try to eat as you normally would. If you cant, try to have soft foods and liquids containing the equivalent amount of carbohydrates that you usually consume.
Weigh yourself every day. Losing weight without trying is a sign of high blood glucose.
Check your temperature every morning and evening. A fever may be a sign of infection.
Call your health care provider or go to an emergency room if any of the following happen to you:

You feel too sick to eat normally and are unable to keep down food for more than 6 hours.
You're having severe diarrhea.
You lose 5 pounds or more.
Your temperature is over 101 degrees F.
Your blood glucose is lower than 60 mg/dL or remains over 300 mg/dL.
You have moderate or large amounts of ketones in your urine.
You're having trouble breathing.
You feel sleepy or can't think clearly.

We have heard all this over and over again in the news. Do people really dont know what to do? I think they are smarter than that.

Goldi I think it is rude and unacceptable to downplay Lostonrye's concerns.

If you do not need this information then please disregard it. Otherwise give people the respect to ask questions and gain awareness.

What are you talking about, Socks???? I AGREED with lostonrye... I did not downplay anything. I agreed that diabetics are more prone to it and that we should be getting our shots in the fall. I told her to enjoy her grapefruit, even though I dont like them.
You are once again reading things that arent there.

Reply # 3:

You claim that people do not need to be educated on N1H1.

This disregards Lostonryes original questions of " exaggeration" and "are diabetics more susceptible to catching these things".

Please be more careful in future posts.

To me, she just mentioned that she didnt know if it was just exagerated, because the flu is a yearly event. I didnt see it as a question. Sorry, Istonrye. I still think that no one needs all the reams that you wrote.. and NEVER tell me to be careful again. I do NOT take orders from YOU. Now THAT is rude!

Thanks for the info Socks I did not know that my diabetes left me more prone to get the flu then most! I thought it was limited to Bacterial infections! ANd here I have had diabetes 14 years. Don't know I missed that one!!!

Mark

lostenrye - diabetics are not more prone to swine flu. BUT if you do get it;, the risks ARE higher for complications because of our compromised immune system

Yup.. you are right Arline.. and also the young and elderly and people like myself who have a bad heart and lungs

You don't even have to be diabetic to have complications from the swine flu - bad heart, lungs, etc. will do the trick.

I have the perfect simple, short solution - just keep washing your hands - easy ?

HI, arlineH isn't that hand washing thing called compulsive behaviour disorder?
Seriously though from all the replies I can see that this Dam condition is not just a straighforward
" Here's what you do kind on thing "

And both research+ personal experience is needed.
I'm finding out some of the general things but I guess the learning curve will take time.

I know that my grandmother was insulin dependent she died in the late sixties aged 87 and I remember she took shots in her arm but it must have just been guess work on her part as to the dose
she always carried some sweet biscuits with her and everyone new she had sugar, as they called it then
I can remember her always saying she could not eat this, or that which I always found hard to understand at the time.

It's seem's you only realise how easy it is to take good health for granted until you start getting the symptom's of these complaints.

I admire all the fortitude people show on this site and seem to be taking responsibility for things, In the end Drs can only advise and then its up to yourself, and maybe the Gods.

Regards