Unfortunately, only about 33 percent of the people with diabetes get the pneumococcal vaccine. The pneumococcal vaccine prevents a bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae from causing pneumonia. This bacterium is the most common cause of pneumonia in adults.
The flu vaccine prevents a virus called the Influenza virus from causing the flu. Many diabetics do not get their yearly flu shot and are 6 times more likely to be hospitalized after getting the flu.
Diabetes is a serious and very common chronic disease. It is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. Diabetes contributes to more than 193,000 deaths each year. An estimated 10.3 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with diabetes. Another 5.4 million people have undiagnosed diabetes. People with uncontrolled diabetes are at much greater risk for serious health complications. These complications include blindness, kidney failure, amputations of feet and legs, heart attacks, and strokes.
People with diabetes need to get the pneumoncoccal and flu vaccines because diabetes also damages the immune system. As a result, diabetics are more likely to develop pneumonia and serious complications from the flu.
If you are a diabetic or know someone who is a diabetic now is the time think about getting these life-saving vaccines. The flu and pneumonia season will be here in just a few short months. Contact your physician or your local health department to find out when and where these vaccines are given.
What is Diabetes? (more information can be found at the CDC)
Diabetes is either a deficiency of insulin or a decreased ability
of the body to use insulin. Insulin is a hormone secreted
by the pancreas. Insulin allows glucose (sugar) to enter cells and
be converted to energy. In uncontrolled diabetics, glucose and lipids (fats)
remain in the bloodstream and, with time, damage vital organs and contribute
to heart disease.
Diabetes is classified into two main types: type 1 and type 2. Type 2, affects 90%-95% of people with diabetes and usually appears after the age of 40. Type 1, affects 5%-10% of those with diabetes and most often appears in childhood or during the teenage years. Some women develop diabetes during pregnancy. Known as gestational diabetes, this condition occurs in 2%-5% of all pregnancies. Other, less common types of diabetes (1%-2%)
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