Health experts at Hamad Medical Corporation have advised diabetics to take further precautions and measures to protect themselves against coronavirus (Covid-19).

Qatar Metabolic Institute (QMI) Director and Chairman of Internal Medicine at Hamad Medical Corporation Professor Abdul-Badi Abou-Samra called on all Diabetics in Qatar not to panic but at the same time, to take additional preventive measures to combat the spread of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) and protect themselves from the risk of infection with it.

He said in remarks on Saturday that those with chronic diseases, including those with diabetes, have less immunity than healthy people, so they must take more precautions and preventive measures to protect themselves from infection, particularly by maintaining personal hygiene, not sharing personal use items such as food dishes cups, towels, napkins, personal tools, and not to be in contact with people who have symptoms of respiratory disease, as well as to seek prompt healthcare in the case of an infection or disease.

Professor Abdul-Badi Abou-Samra, coronavirus is transmitted, like other viruses that attack the respiratory system, from an infected person to others in the droplets when they sneeze, cough or speak especially if at a distance of less than one or two meters. It can also be transmitted through close contact with the infected person, and touching contaminated surfaces.

He stressed the necessity of cleaning hands and taking care in contact with others and avoiding crowded places, pointing that diabetics are among the most vulnerable to the possibility of infection.

He pointed out the necessity for diabetic patients to follow medical instructions and to make sure to prepare a list of the medications they take and the dosages, and, in the case that the patient has type 1 diabetes, they must maintain quantities of medications sufficient for two weeks.

The professor called the diabetic patients, vulnerable to episodes of severe hypoglycemia, to constantly check their sugar level.

He also urged diabetics not to hesitate to contact the doctor to inquire about any of the issues if there were any unusual symptoms, and to contact the doctor if the blood sugar test was read more than 300 mg/dl (after two consecutive tests during a period of two to eight hours).


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