Having the flu can also make it harder to control your blood glucose.
<div class="ExternalClass67E615FC9E5E492984BD0CEE2B2871B1"><h2>What Is the Flu?
</h2><p style="text-align:center;">
<img src="/sites/assets/Assets/Categories/Body%20Care/what-is-the-flu.jpg" alt="what is the flu" style="margin:5px;" />
</p><p>Most of us have caught the flu bug before. The flu, or influenza, is an illness caused by flu viruses which infect your nose, throat and lungs. When you are down with the flu, you show
<a href="https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/diseases-and-conditions/103/topics_influenza" title="Influenza"><span style="color:#0000ff;"> signs and symptoms that include fever, cough, sore throat and body ache</span></a>.
</p><h3>Diabetes Can Turn Flu into a Serious Problem</h3><p>For most people, the flu is usually mild and lasts only a few days. But if you have diabetes, the flu can lead to serious problems such as infection of the lung, ear and sinus. In severe cases, it can result in hospitalisation and may even lead to death.</p><p>Having the flu can also make it harder to control your blood glucose.</p><h3>Protect Yourself and Get a Flu Vaccine</h3><p>One of the best ways to protect yourself against the flu is to get a flu vaccine each year. It is safe and most people have no side effects.
</p><p>Because it takes roughly two weeks for a vaccine to be effective, get your flu vaccine before peak flu season starts. In Singapore, the season is generally from December to February and May to July.</p><p>Your doctor can advise you on the flu vaccine suitable for you. In addition, check with your doctor whether you should get the pneumococcal vaccine to protect against pneumonia.
</p><p>
<strong>Related:</strong><strong> </strong><a href="http://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/298/shooing_the_flu_away"><strong>Shoo-Ing The Flu Away</strong></a>
</p><h2>Take Everyday Preventive Actions
</h2><p style="text-align:center;">
<img src="/sites/assets/Assets/Categories/Body%20Care/preventive-actions.jpg" alt="take everyday preventive actions" style="margin:5px;" />
</p><p>Besides the annual flu vaccination, there are
<a href="https://www.healthhub.sg/programmes/52/Fight_The_Spread" title="Fight the Spread"><span style="color:#0000ff;">preventive actions</span></a> you can take to avoid the flu bug:</p><ul><li>Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
</li><li>Wash your hands often with soap and water.
</li><li>Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
</li></ul><p>These hygiene habits can protect you from getting sick and if you are sick, prevent others from catching your flu.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Related: </strong><a href="http://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/406/know_how_to_fight_flu"><strong>Know How To Fight Flu</strong></a>
</p><h2>What to Do If You Fall Sick
</h2><p style="text-align:center;">
<img src="/sites/assets/Assets/Categories/Body%20Care/what-to-do-if-you-fall-sick.jpg" alt="what to do if you fall sick" style="margin:5px;" />
</p><p>If you have diabetes and the flu:</p><ul><li>Ask your doctor about taking antiviral drugs. Antiviral drugs work best when you start taking them within 48 hours after flu symptoms start. They help you feel better, recover faster and reduce the risk of ser ious problems.
</li><li>Don’t stop taking your diabetes pills when you have the flu. Call your doctor if you are too sick to take them.
</li><li>Drink plenty of water.
</li><li>Rest at home.
</li><li>Avoid strenuous activities such as running or fast cycling.</li></ul><p>See your doctor at once if you have any of these warning signs:</p><ul><li>difficulty breathing
</li><li>pain or tightness over your chest
</li><li>non-stop vomiting
</li><li>dizziness
</li><li>confusion
</li></ul><p>Be prepared before the flu season arrives!</p><hr />
<strong>
<p>Read these next:</p></strong>
<ul>
<strong>
</strong><li>
<a title="Managing Diabetes in Special Situations" href="https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1473/managing-diabetes-in-special-situations">Managing Diabetes in Special Situations</a></li>
<li>
<a title="Taking Diabetes Pills" href="https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1312/taking-diabetes-pills">Taking Diabetes Pills</a></li>
<li>
<a title="Protect Yourself and Others Against the Flu" href="https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/379/protect_yourself_others_against_flu">Protect Yourself and Others Against the Flu</a>
</li></ul></div>
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Monday, February 22, 2021
<div class="ExternalClassA318562EAD924B8098B4452F01AA643E"><p>Health Promotion Board
3 Second Hospital Avenue
Singapore 168937</p></div>
HPB_Mailbox@hpb.gov.sg
<div class="ExternalClass8F3C027334D14BAEB26A59BA7F57A3C0">Established in 2001, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) has a vision to build a nation of healthy people.
HPB implements programmes that reach out to the population, specifically children, adults and the elderly. These programmes include health and dental services for school children, BreastScreen Singapore, AIDS Education Programme, CervicalScreen Singapore, Childhood Injury Prevention Programme, Mental Health Education Programme, National Myopia Prevention Programme, Physical Activity, National Smoking Control Programme, Nutrition Programme, Osteoporosis Education Programme, Workplace Health Promotion Programme, HPB Online, HealthLine, Health Information Centre and HealthZone. New programmes will also be initiated over time to address health concerns among the community.</div>
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Health Promotion Board
http://www.hpb.gov.sg
Beat the Flu When You Have Diabetes