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Covid-19 and Type 1

Here you will find the most up to date information about Covid-19 regulations, vaccinations, and recent research on the interaction between Covid-19 and Type 1 Diabetes from the CDC, American Diabetes Association, and JDRF.


As we all know, the pandemic has effected all aspects of "normal" life as we know it. College is no exception. Type 1 Diabetics are at higher risk for severe illness and complications from Covid-19. So, we need to be extra cautious during this time. However, it can be difficult with social pressure among young people to be more lenient. You should never feel bad about looking out for your health! It is important to be aware of recommended protocols for Covid-19 to ensure you can have a safe and healthy college experience.

 

Center for Disease Control


Having either type 1 or type 2 diabetes can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19




Finding a Vaccine

You can locate a vaccine by using VaccineFinder, or checking with your states health department website. On these sites you can also view the timeline for vaccine administration and find out when you are eligible.


As a result of advocacy by the ADA and other groups, in March 2021 the CDC moved to prioritize all Americans living with diabetes for COVID-19 vaccination, marking an important step forward for our community. The CDC now recognizes that people with Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes are equally at risk, and most states prioritize both groups equally for access to vaccines. Even so, if you have not been vaccinated, you should check the rules and availability in your state.


In a college dorm or living situation, you are often in close quarters to other people. Here are CDC recommended methods to keep yourself and lose living close to you safe.

Members of a household or group of people living together should leave only when absolutely necessary. Essential errands include going to the grocery store, pharmacy, or medical appointments that cannot be delayed (e.g., infants or individuals with serious health conditions in need of aid).


If you must leave the house, please do the following:

  • Choose one or two family members who are not at a higher risk to run the essential errands.

  • Wear a mask, avoid crowds, practice social distancing, and follow these recommended tips for running errands.

  • If feasible, use forms of transportation that minimize close contact with others (e.g., biking, walking, driving or riding by car either alone or with household members).

  • If necessary to use public transportation:

    • Maintain a 6-foot distance from other passengers as much as possible.

    • Avoid touching high-touch surfaces such as handrails, and wash hands or use hand sanitizers as soon as possible after leaving.

    • Follow CDC guidance on how to protect yourself when using transportation.

    • Try to commute during less busy times.

    • Clean your hands as soon as possible after the trip.

  • If necessary to ride in a car with members of different households:

    • Limit close contact and create space between others in the vehicle as possible.

    • Improve air flow in the car by opening the window or placing air conditioning on non-recirculation mode.

  • Wash your hands immediately after you return home.

  • Maintain as much physical distance as possible with those at higher risk in the home. For example, avoid hugging, kissing, or sharing food or drinks.


Those who are at increased risk for severe illness should avoid caring for infected members in their household, if possible, try to separate them from other household members as much as possible. Keep people at higher risk separated from anyone who is sick. The best way to stop the spread of Covid-19 is practicing social distancing, wearing your mask, frequently washing your hands, and getting vaccinated as soon as you are able.


  • If possible, have only one person in the household take care of the person who is sick. This caregiver should be someone who is not at higher risk for severe illness and should minimize contact with other people in the household.

    • Identify a different caregiver for other members of the household who require help with cleaning, bathing, or other daily tasks.

  • If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other family or household members.

  • If you need to share a bedroom with someone who is sick, make sure the room has good air flow.

    • Open the window and turn on a fan to bring in and circulate fresh air if possible.

    • Maintain at least 6 feet between beds if possible.

    • Sleep head to toe.

    • Put a curtain around or place other physical divider (e.g., shower curtain, room screen divider, large cardboard poster board, quilt, or large bedspread) to separate the ill person’s bed.

  • If you are sick, do not help prepare food. Also, eat separately.

 

American Diabetes Association


It is important to be prepared if you get sick. Here is what the ADA recommends you do to be ready to take care of yourself and diabetes as best you can.

Gather your supplies:

  • Collect phone numbers of your doctors and health care team, your pharmacy and your insurance provider.

  • Compile a list of medications and doses (including vitamins and supplements).

  • Gather simple carbs like regular soda, honey, jam, Jell-O, hard candies or popsicles to help keep your blood sugar up if you are at risk for hypoglycemia and too ill to eat

  • If a state of emergency is declared, get extra refills on your prescriptions so you do not have to leave the house as often.

    • If you can’t get to the pharmacy, find out about having your medications delivered.

  • Always have enough insulin for at least 14 days, in case you get sick or cannot refill.

    • If you are struggling to pay for insulin or know someone who is, the American Diabetes Association® (ADA) has resources to help—visit InsulinHelp.org

  • Gather extra supplies like rubbing alcohol and soap to wash your hands.

  • Make sure you have glucagon and ketone strips, in case of lows and highs.

  • Have enough household items and groceries on hand so that you will be prepared to stay at home for at least 14 days, in case you need to quarantine.

It is also important to take precautions by protecting yourself from the flu. College students should be able to receive a flu shot through the health services on their campus.

It is likely that both COVID-19 and flu viruses will spread this fall and winter. Being in college and around new people it is important to do what you can to avoid getting sick. So getting a flu vaccine during 2020-21 is more important than ever.

  • While the flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19, it has been shown to reduce the risk of getting the flu.

  • In addition, getting a flu vaccine can free up health care resources for patients who need treatment for COVID-19.

 

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

What Do We Know about T1D and COVID?

  • Based on current scientific literature, there is no evidence that people with T1D are at higher risk for contracting T1D.

  • Two new studies show that adults with T1D are at an increased risk of severe COVID-19 illness. Details on each of these studies are below. These add to an October 2020 UK population-based registry publication showing that people with type 1 diabetes have more than 3-fold level of increased risk of mortality when hospitalized due to COVID-19.

  • A December 2020 U.S.-based study shows that adults who get COVID-19 and have diabetes, whether T1D or T2D, have three to four times higher risk of severe illness and hospitalization.

    • Specifically, the study found “after adjustment for age, race, and other risk factors, the odds of a COVID-19–related hospitalization and greater illness severity for patients with type 1 diabetes are three- to four-fold higher than patients without diabetes. This increased risk is approximately the same for patients with type 2 diabetes.”

    • Those at greatest risk are people with consistently elevated blood-sugar levels and those with a second comorbidity (such as obesity or heart, kidney, or lung disease).

    • This study “COVID-19 Severity Is Tripled in the Diabetes Community: A Prospective Analysis of the Pandemic’s Impact in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes,” by Justin M. Gregory et.al. was published in December 2020 in the peer-reviewed journal Diabetes Care. It was conducted by a clinical research team at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and the University of California San Diego Medical Department. The study analyzed data from nearly 6,500 patients with COVID-19 in a regional health network, comparing factors and outcomes in patients with T1D, T2D, or no diabetes.


It is important to be aware of the potential effects of Covid-19 with Type 1 so you can make a plan to keep yourself safe that you are comfortable with before heading to school.


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