Diabetes & Coronavirus

Diabetes & Coronavirus

By Brittany Sweeney

May 15, 2020

Those living with diabetes are at higher risk for contracting coronavirus. WLVR Health Reporter Brittany Sweeney reports on what makes that group so susceptible.  

Diabetes is one of the most common at risk groups for people that have complications or a more severe course with COVID-19 says Dr. Jeffrey Jahre of St. Luke’s University Health Network.

The Infectious Disease Specialist says patients hospitalized with diabetes and the virus are four times more likely to die than patients who do not have any other underlying conditions.

He says there are a number of reasons why.

“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 comorbidities in this situation as well. For instance, heart disease and kidney disease; it also affects the immune system,” said Jahre.

Dr. Jahre  says people who have better control of their diabetes are not going to be in the same risk group as those who don’t.

That’s a priority for type -1 diabetic Ian Collins of Bethlehem.

“Obviously, diabetes is very unpredictable, and you can do everything right and it still does whatever it wants, but yeah… for me, it’s just kind of making sure I am in range,” said Collins.

In addition to keeping his sugar at a safe level, Collins says cleaning and wiping down everything is another focus in his home right now.

Watch Brittany’s PBS39 News Tonight Report.