People with diabetes are at greater risk of COVID-19.
BETHLEHEM, NORTHAMPTON COUNTY (WLVT-TV) - Those living with diabetes are in the "at-risk" group when it comes to coronavirus. Day to day life with diabetes has its challenges, says 32-year-old Ian Collins. The Bethlehem resident says “when I first wake up in the morning, I have to check my blood sugar to see where I'm at. Usually at night, I dropped so I had to figure out 'okay, am I in range? Am I high?' That way I know kind of how to plan. You know, okay, do I need give myself more insulin and all that fun stuff. “
The type one diabetic was diagnosed 4 years ago this week. Now, his condition puts him in the “at-risk” group for contracting coronavirus, so Collins is making sure he does everything he can to avoid getting sick and keep his sugar at a safe level. “Obviously, diabetes is very unpredictable and you can do everything right and even so, does whatever it wants, but yeah, so for me, it's just kind of making sure I am in range. Also, cleaning things and making sure like I'm washing my hands probably more than the average person who's really healthy, wiping down everything door handles, stairwell, you know, and going to the bathroom, wipe down counter tops, everything to make sure that when if I go outside and I come back I am not as at risk."
St. Luke's University Health Network Infectious Disease Specialist, Dr. Jeffrey Jahre, weighs in on why diabetics are at risk, saying “diabetes is actually one of the most common at risk groups for people that have complications or a more severe course, with COVID-19 and there are probably a number of reasons that we can attribute to it. And it may not have to be the direct effect of diabetes itself, because we know that diabetes also goes along with a number of other diseases that are substantial comorbidity in this situation as well. For instance, heart disease, kidney disease, and it also affects the immune system.”
