Avoiding crowds - Diabetic Child

[Grembolina]

I was planning to go to Liverpool docks to see the Prince Charles aircraft carrier this week. It will likely be very crowded.

I wasn't worried about Corona virus especially, pretty much of the attitude that life must go on. However I have since read that Corona virus can be more severe and cause complications for those with Diabetes.

My child has Diabetes, he wouldn't be coming with me but nor do I want to risk bringing it home.

So would I be over cautious to not go or just taking sensible precautions?

My child has diabetes too. I really don’t know what I would do in your situation. It’s so hard because life needs to carry on as normal but at the same time we need to protect our children.

I wouldn't even give it a second thought usually, I think generally there is a huge over reaction about it.

But given that he is higher risk for complications I am thinking it would be silly to take unnecessary risks?

Yes I understand that. What are the complications they talk about? I’m
Asssuming dka is more likely as it will be difficult to contain blood sugars?

Wouldn't stop me. But then nothing ever has. My mum always instilled in me that my diabetes wouldn't stop me doing anything. And it hasn't.

It doesn't specify but yes I was assuming dka? I am going to do some research about it tonight.

Any flu like illness causes problems for diabetics, corona is no different to regular flu in this way, so you would need to follow the sick day rules in the event of infection. Personally, I am just following normal precautions and will continue to assess risk as the situation develops. Badly controlled diabetes also lowers immunity so I am more focused on good control at the moment too.

Only you can decide the right decision for you, personally I wouldn’t cancel but I understand that it’s easier for me to take that decision on behalf of myself as the diabetic person than as the relation of a diabetic person.

Having said that my dp is off to Italy this weekend on a ski trip. . .

It is a worry. Especially as my child
Is coming out of the honeymoon period now so her levels are all over the place. We’ve been told to aim for an hba1c of 50 to minimise risk of future complications but she was 60 last clinic and think she’ll be a bit higher again next time as it’s a battle to keep her levels in check 😢

Well DS had a hba1c of 97 last clinic. He is in teenage rebellion, refusing blood tests, lying about his insulin, having secret snacks. That's a whole other thread!

I did that OP. Sympathy.

Having been denied all my childhood, I rebelled 'diabetically ' as a teenager, less testing, hardly any, eating what I wanted when I wanted. It's standard for a diabetic teenager, me thinks, especially if you've had it years, which I had (aged 1).

That sounds like such a worry for you with the diabetes. Would it be worth asking your gp about the implications if he got it and do they think it’s a good idea to go along?

That's a good idea, I will email the diabetes team.

He only got it 3 years ago, first year he was fantastic, 2nd year not as compliant, this year its like if he ignores it, it will go away. At my wits end but as you say, it's so common in teens.

You'd be surprised how little damage gets done, when you go through a 'just fuck off diabetes, I hate you ' stage! I often still get pissed off. It's all consuming. 24/7. You never get a break.
Cut him some slack.

Thanks, I think I needed to hear that. ❤️

I think there are 2 things going on with diabetes and flu. (Not a doctor, just a parent to a child with T1).

The first thing is how any illness sends blood sugar bonkers and you risk dka.

The other is that if you’ve had high blood sugar for a while, or if you’ve got any of the “complications” - nerve damage, heart disease, kidney failure - then your immune system won’t be as good at fighting off infection.

I’m now off to see what they mean when they say that people with heart disease are higher risk, because dh is very fit and healthy and also the proud owner of a couple of stents.

I'm a T1 diabetic of 49 years.
The risk is we have got compromised immunity - if we get any infections they are 10 times worse for us to get rid of naturally - and it usually means antibiotics at some point.
Diabetics are more prone to infections etc - which is why we should have flu jabs every year and why we get them free as part of a vulnerable community
Complications usually happen to diabetics after having had it for some time - we need to keep as healthy as possible for as long as possible!

Watching with interest as my DH has type 1 diabetes and I'm also pregnant. I have a few work conferences coming up end of April with 100+ people and am wondering whether I should avoid going, or whether I'm over reacting.

The WHO report, when it mentions 9.2% fatality for diabetics, specifically mentions 'uncontrolled diabetes'. So for those of us with the tools to try for better control (ugh i hate that term but this is not a hill I'm going to die on today) the positive is we can take steps to improve our chances - more fingersticks or scans, more correction doses, ease off on eating foods that are tricky to bolus for for the time being.

It is really crucial that all of us with diabetes are tightening management to the very best of our ability while this virus is spreading. None of us are perfect and it drives me round the twist but just do what you can!

Thanks @AbsentmindedWoman that is very helpful and makes it a bit clearer.

You are all helping so thanks!

To be honest I would not go to very crowded places just now, when it isn't really necessary.

Lets see what information we have in a couple of weeks.

Clinic today told us we don’t need to be worried. If otherwise fit and healthy, diabetics should be ok. I’m hoping this is true.

Clinic today told us we don’t need to be worried. If otherwise fit and healthy, diabetics should be ok. I’m hoping this is true.

I wonder if that means someone has dissected the data - is the high risk rate for diabetics more to do with the fact that older people who are very frail are likely to have a whole range of illnesses, including diabetes?

Not that that makes it remotely ok that our older population is vulnerable to this. I don't mean that. I just think the way the data has been presented is not actually that clear, and it's hard to interpret exactly where the risks lie.

Thank you for letting me know.

Its all so confusing isn't it and too many variables to know how reliable the data is. I haven't seen anything that specifies T1 or T2 either.

Its all so confusing isn't it and too many variables to know how reliable the data is. I haven't seen anything that specifies T1 or T2 either.

Yes. Honestly I wish some diabetes department somewhere would analyse the data and release some specific information!

Yes, would be good. Consultant seemed to imply it was just the flu and we don’t need to be any more worried than we would for the flu. I’m not sure that’s completely correct but I do feel reassured. Fingers crossed he is right.

I am type 1 diabetic and currently pregnant. I asked my consultant on Wednesday and he said in relation to the diabetes, being young and having no other complications from the diabetes - it shouldn't be too much more of a worry than a typically healthy person fighting it. Hope that helps.