Coronavirus: Are diabetics more prone to contracting Covid-19?

Coronavirus: Are diabetics more prone to contracting Covid-19?

The severity of symptoms associated with the viral infection is more in diabetic patients.. With the UAE reporting that 40% of those who died with Covid-19 in the country were diabetics, doctors have cautioned that those with chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart diseases are at a higher risk of developing serious complications from Covid-19 that can even result in death.. Infection chances of a diabetic contracting Covid-19 maybe slightly higher when compared to non-diabetic population, said Dr. Shobha Sudarshan Shetty, specialist internal medicine at Medeor Hospital, Abu Dhabi.. There are multiple factors, which are responsible for the increased risk among Covid-19-infected diabetes patients.. Diabetic patients have weaker immune system.. High glucose level affects the patients' immune system defenses and some diabetic-related issues such as nerve damage and reduced blood flow increases the body's vulnerability to infection.. Dr Rahila Bhatti, endocrinologist at Mediclinic Parkview Hospital, Dubai who has been serving Covid-19 patients at the hospital, said people with diabetes are at increased risk of infection because of defects in innate immunity. ". Since there is increased prevalence of the disease in this region more cases of diabetics affected by the virus.. To understand better the underlying reasons,