Facing diabetes and COVID-19 together
With the arrival of the Delta variant, many people wondered if current vaccines lower the risk of spreading the virus to other people. This is the difference in “contagiousness” when comparing...
In the United States, the delta variant now accounts for over 99% of new infections. About half (54%) of the total population is now fully vaccinated. 63% of people in the U.S. have received at...
In addition to age, obesity is the main risk factor for poor outcomes from COVID-19 (hospitalization, need for critical care, death). We already know from earlier studies that certain vaccines, such...
COVID-19 is the infection caused by a virus called coronavirus. This new virus was unknown before the outbreak began in China, in December 2019.
At the moment, we do not know if there are differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes as they relate to COVID-19.
Evidence suggests that if you have diabetes, compared to people without diabetes, you have:
Therefore, if you have diabetes, it is important to try to prevent COVID-19 infection from occurring. Good control of diabetes makes sense.
For most people, COVID-19 infection is mild, especially for children and young adults, and most people recover completely without needing special treatment. However, COVID-19 can cause serious illness in some people including family or friends. It is therefore quite normal for you to worry about how the COVID-19 outbreak will affect us and our loved ones.
People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. It is spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs, releasing droplets containing the virus into the air (these droplets can travel up to 6 feet) which land on surfaces (door handles, phones, food, anything). If you touch these surfaces and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, the infection enters their body. Your risk of COVID-19 increases if there are people near you who are sick. Some people with the virus may have no symptoms so it is important for all of us to wash our hands and stay over 6 feet away from others when possible.
These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people get the infection without feeling sick and without these symptoms. Additionally, people with diabetes may see their glucose levels rise during illness even if they are not eating.
However for a small number of people COVID-19 can become serious, with difficulty breathing, pain in the chest, confusion, or bluish lips or face. If these or other worrying symptoms occur, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
At the moment, we think the time between catching the virus and when symptoms start (called the “incubation period”) is between 1 and 14 days, most commonly around 5 days.
COVID-19/Coronavirus is a new and serious threat to everyone, including but especially Hispanic/Latino people with diabetes if their blood sugars are high.
Fortunately, all of us can take simple steps to reduce our risk of catching COVID-19 and, if someone with diabetes develops COVID-19, there are important, practical steps to take immediately.
199,439,503
Global Cases Confirmed
4,246,122 Deaths
35,831,850
United States Cases Confirmed
629,570 Deaths
3,965,385
California Cases Confirmed
64,423 Deaths
35,741
Santa Barbara County Cases
462 Deaths
Sansum Diabetes Research Institute specializes in diabetes. While we are not experts in infectious disease, we are following and conveying on this site the research evidence and advice from the following authoritative organizations:
World Health Organization
Centers for Disease Control
American Diabetes Association
Table:
Case Counts:
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