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January 9, 2001

Research: Causes and Prevention

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Question from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA:

I’ve read that a viral infection has sometimes been thought to be one of the causes of childhood diabetes. This three year old normal healthy boy of Hispanic and Asian mix was being treated for an ear infection (pus showed, etc.) about two months prior to his diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. Is an ear infection considered a viral infection?

Answer:

From: DTeam Staff

Irrespective of whether this ear infection was viral or bacterial, it did not cause diabetes. The vast majority of children who develop diabetes have evidence of autoimmune changes many months or years before they develop the condition.

KJR