Diabetes Raises Your Risk of UTIs and Other Infections: Here’s How to Prevent Them

Having diabetes makes you more likely to develop certain infections, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs). And if your diabetes is untreated or unmanaged, you’re even more likely to get infections. Let’s take a closer look at why UTIs and other infections are common with diabetes and how you can prevent them. 

Diabetes and infection: What’s the link?

Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are conditions marked by high blood glucose (sugar) levels. High blood sugars can affect many body systems, including the immune system. When your immune system isn’t working properly, you’re at higher risk of getting an infection.

The immune system consists of white blood cells that protect the body from germs. And they rely on blood vessels to transport them to where they need to go. 

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But diabetes can cause blood vessels to narrow and become stiff (atherosclerosis). This can make it hard for white blood cells to get where they need to be to fight off germs. This lets germs — like bacteria, viruses, and fungi — invade the body and cause infections. And it may take much longer for wounds to heal.

Diabetes can also damage nerves (neuropathy), which limits your ability to feel pain. This can make it hard for you to notice if you have cuts and sores. Again, it may take much longer for your wounds to heal. Together, these factors can raise your risk of infections.

High-risk diabetes infections

Diabetes increases your risk of infection in general. But some infections, like UTI, are quite common if you have diabetes. Let’s review four infections you’re likely to be at risk for if you have diabetes.

1. Urinary tract infections, like bladder and kidney infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common complications of diabetes. This may be in part because high blood sugar can lead to sugar in your urine, which is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. 

Most UTIs occur in the bladder. Symptoms of a bladder infection may include:

• Fever

• Frequent, strong urge to pee

• Burning when you pee

• Pain in the abdomen 

But more serious UTIs can turn into kidney infections. Kidney infections can be much more dangerous and can cause more complications in people with diabetes. Symptoms of a kidney infection include:

• Back or flank pain

• Severe abdominal pain

• Pain in the groin

• Fever or chills 

• Nausea and vomiting

2. Flu complications and pneumonia

Because of the effects that diabetes has on the immune system, it may be harder to fight infections like the flu. And this can lead to serious issues. Complications from the flu can include: 

• Sinus infections

• Pneumonia

• Hospitalization

• Death

Having infections like the flu can also worsen your diabetes. When your body is stressed by illness, it can make your blood sugar levels rise even higher.

3. Slow-healing foot infections

Foot ulcers are common foot infections in people with diabetes. This is due to the damage that diabetes can do to the nerves and blood vessels over time. As a result, you might not notice when you have a wound on your foot. And the decreased blood flow from narrowed blood vessels means it takes longer to heal.

Diabetes foot ulcers can have serious complications. When untreated, they’re a leading cause of limb amputation. 

4. Fungal skin and nail infections 

People with diabetes are more likely to get fungal infections or yeast infections. Many of these infections can affect the skin and nails. Fungi and yeast thrive on sugar. So when your blood sugar is too high, you’re much more likely to develop a fungal infection. 

Common fungal skin and nail infections include:

• Athlete’s foot

• Ringworm

• Vaginal yeast infection

• Fungal nail infections 

How to prevent UTIs and other infections 

Even though you’re at a higher risk of infections if you have diabetes, you can take steps to lower that risk. Here are some tips for how to prevent UTI and other diabetes infections.

Empty your bladder regularly

If you have diabetes, make sure to regularly empty your bladder. Holding your urine for long periods of time can make it more likely to grow bacteria. And this can increase your risk of UTI. 

Staying hydrated can also help empty your bladder and prevent UTIs. Drinking plenty of water can help to flush the bladder and lower your risk of infection.

Manage your blood sugar 

One of the most effective ways to prevent infections is to keep your blood sugar in the normal range. Your provider will likely give you a hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C or A1C) or blood sugar range to aim for. Keeping your levels below these ranges will help you avoid infections and serious complications. 

Here are some tips to help reach your blood sugar goals:

• Exercise for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.

• Follow a meal plan from the American Diabetes Association. 

• Take all of your diabetes medications as prescribed. 

Get vaccinated against the flu and pneumonia on schedule

Having diabetes can increase your risk of certain infections or complications even if your blood sugar is managed well. That’s why it’s important to get extra protection against infections when you can. This is where vaccines come in.

Get a flu vaccine every year to lower your risk of having the flu and its complications. If you’re under 65 years old, a one-time pneumococcal vaccine will help prevent pneumonia. If you’re 65 or older, you should have a pneumococcal vaccine every 5 years to keep up that protection.

Get yearly foot exams 

Special foot exams are recommended for people with diabetes. Your provider will inspect your feet for wounds, check your blood flow, and examine your sensation. You should have a diabetic foot exam at least once a year. But you may need it more often if you have any signs of complications.  

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Written by:

Megan N. Freeland, PharmD, RPh

Megan began her career as a public health pharmacist and transitioned into healthcare copywriting and content marketing as the CEO of StockRose Creative, LLC. As a public health pharmacist, Megan supported the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in medication safety, health communications, and regulatory affairs. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Emory University and her doctorate degree in pharmacy from Mercer University, she completed fellowship training in drug information and health communications.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

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