Here we go! Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes you are at a higher risk of contracting respiratory, urinary tract and skin infections than people without diabetes.
Being aware gives us an advantage.
Information about the swine flu is all over the internet; efforts to understand and contain this virus are under way on a global scale.
5 Top Tips to Protect Yourself: 1.
Wash your hands...
often! This decreases the likelihood of spreading the virus to your mouth, nose or other people.
Flu viruses can survive for two hours or longer on surfaces such as taps, counter tops and doorknobs.
2.
Get enough rest.
If your body is tired it will be harder for you to fight the flu.
3.
Exercise.
This increases your circulation and the components of your immune system also.
Your immune system will then have a better chance of protecting you before an illness spreads.
4.
Avoid Processed Foods.
Many processed foods contain sugar; sugar decreases the function of your immune system almost immediately.
The stronger our immune system the more likely it is our bodies will fight off viruses.
5.
Vitamins and Supplements.
Reports show:

• optimizing our vitamin D levels is one of the best strategies to avoiding infections of all kinds.
  
• eating garlic regularly works like a broad spectrum antibiotic against bacteria and any virus in the body.
  If you don't like garlic, avoid it.
  
• increasing omega-3's in our diet is also important for maintaining optimal health

Stay home if you show the following symptoms:

• runny nose and/or sore throat
• severe headache
• fever over 37.
  2C or 100F
• coughing
• vomiting and/or diarrhea
• lack of appetite
• fatigue
• aching joints

Contact your health care provider as soon as possible, certainly within the first 24 hours of showing the above symptoms.

• drink plenty of fluids.
  Due to your increased body temperature you will lose fluid, and increased urination could also occur because of high sugar levels.
  Depending on your blood sugar levels, drink water or low joule/calorie drinks
• some illnesses will cause your blood levels to go low, and others will cause them to go high.
  Low sugar levels are associated with nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.
  Raised sugar levels are usually connected with lethargy, irritability, headache, fever and other signs of infection.
  

Managing your type 2 diabetes when your are sick is more demanding than when you are well.
Applying some of the above will help get you get back on track.