July 8, 2003
Sick Days
Question from Maryland, USA:
Since my son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes about six months ago, he has had three viral infections, and I am concerned that this is a way of life for a child with diabetes. All three times he got ill, he was either with his father or he had just returned from his father. He gets sick when no one else does. Two nights ago, he had a temperature of 103, and three weeks ago, he had a stomach virus. My other son and also had a minor dose of this. So far all that the doctors have done is to put him on a saline drip for two hours to hydrate him, check his blood and urine and once they are assured that it is viral and not bacterial, they send him home.
Are children with diabetes they more susceptible to viral infections? Is this the normal state of affairs for children with type 1 diabetes? What are the long term effects on his system from these repeated viral attacks?
Answer:
I understand your concern regarding a higher risk of viral infections in your son, but keep in mind that children who have type 1 diabetes and who are in in good metabolic control don’t have any increased risk when compared to other children. This is true in terms of repeated viral infections and long term effects on him, except for the fact that viral infections, as any other infection, may temporary increase his insulin requirements.
MS
