Diabetics at higher risk of common infections, researchers say

• Researchers say that diabetics are at higher risk of developing common infections of the respiratory tract, skin, mucous membranes and the urinary tract.
• Researchers of the University Medical Center Utrecht in the Netherlands compared about 7,500 diabetic patients with nearly 19,000 selected control patients to examine the link between diabetes and infections.
• The researchers, led by Leonie Muller, found that compared to patients in the control group, the odds were significantly higher that both type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients would develop infections, according to a Clinical Infectious Diseases article made available online.
• Patients with type 1 diabetes were twice as likely to develop a urinary tract infection as non-diabetics.
• Diabetics' risk for recurring infection was also higher, they said.
• Diabetics "should realise that they are at increased risk of common infections," said Muller, adding they should take preventive measures, including influenza vaccination, drinking plenty of fluids and leading a generally healthy lifestyle.
• "Moreover, they might pay attention to signs indicating an infection at an earlier stage and contact their physician for advice," she added.
• Diabetes can cause kidney problems, nerve damage, blindness and serious cardiovascular complications.
• Obesity increases the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes.
• Type 1 diabetes usually occurs in children, although it can also develop in adults.