Diabetes Health Center
Diabetes and Infection
Diabetes can slow down your body's ability to fight infection. High blood sugar (glucose) leads to high levels of sugar in your body's tissues. When this happens, bacteria grow and infections can develop more quickly in people with diabetes. Common sites of infection are your bladder, kidneys, vagina, gums, feet, and skin. Early treatment of infections can prevent more serious complications.
Warning Signs of Infection With Diabetes
While most infections in people with diabetes can be successfully treated, you must be able to recognize the symptoms of an infection in order to get proper and effective treatment. Notify your health care provider immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Fever over 101 degrees F (38.3 degrees C)
- Sweating or chills
- Skin rash
- Pain, tenderness, redness, or swelling
- Wound or cut that won't heal
- Red, warm, or draining sore
- Sore throat, scratchy throat, or pain when swallowing
- Sinus drainage, nasal congestion, headaches, or tenderness along upper cheekbones
- Persistent, dry, or moist cough that lasts more than two days
- White patches in your mouth or on your tongue
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Flu-like symptoms (chills, aches, headache, or fatigue) or generally feeling "lousy"
- Vaginal itching
- Trouble urinating: pain or burning, constant urge, or frequent urination
- Bloody, cloudy, or foul-smelling urine
WebMD Medical Reference
Diabetes Guide
Hot Topics in Diabetes
Vinegar is in everything from coleslaw to pickles. What if you could actually use it to help prevent disease?
