How chronic conditions make us more vulnerable to infections

Most people living with chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or chronic kidney disease are focused on keeping their symptoms under control. While that is the key priority, there is also a need to consider other risks that come with chronic conditions. What many don’t realise is that besides the symptoms of the chronic condition, they also need to be careful about infections like shingles, flu, and pneumonia.
This is because chronic conditions can compromise the immune system and make people more vulnerable to infections. Common infections that a healthy person might shake off easily can linger or escalate to severe complications for those living with chronic conditions.
Diabetes, for instance, can impair white blood cell function, making it harder to fight off infections. , People with a history of chickenpox who also have diabetes face a higher risk of developing shingles. Additionally, diabetes is linked to a greater risk of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), painful complication of shingles that can last for months or even years, significantly affecting quality of life.
Managing shingles and PHN in people with diabetes can be even more challenging due to existing complications like diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) or diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage), which can slow down recovery.
For individuals undergoing cancer treatment or taking immunosuppressive medications like steroids for asthma or arthritis, the immune system is even more compromised. Studies indicate that cancer patients, especially those with leukemia, lymphoma or breast cancer, face a significantly higher risk of developing shingles within the first two years after diagnosis.
Conditions like chronic kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) put a strain on the body's ability to recover, increasing the risk of infections such as flu and pneumonia. In fact, in the first year after a COPD diagnosis, individuals are at 16 times higher risk of developing pneumonia. Compared to those without COPD, pneumonia patients with COPD experience more severe illness, increased ICU admissions, longer hospital stays and worse outcomes.
We’ve all experienced how illness can derail our day-to-day routine. A simple viral infection can turn into weeks of fatigue, missed work, and medical appointments.
For someone managing a chronic disease, the stakes are even higher. A preventable infection may lead to hospitalisation, prolonged recovery, or worsening of their primary condition.
But prevention of these complications is possible through vaccination. The first step is to be aware of the link between chronic diseases and infections. The India Shingles Awareness Survey 2025 revealed that while 61% of participants above the age of 50 in India were living with a chronic condition, only half of them (49.8%) were concerned about their increased susceptibility to shingles. Being vigilant isn’t just about managing an existing condition; it’s about strengthening overall health. This includes maintaining a healthy lifestyle, staying physically active, and most importantly, taking proactive steps like vaccinations to guard against preventable infections. Vaccination, especially against infections like shingles, flu etc., can help reduce health risks and prevent complications.
A simple step today—talking to your doctor about preventive care—can protect you from health setbacks in the future. Because when it comes to chronic conditions and infections, the connection is clear. The question is, are we doing enough to protect ourselves?
(By Dr Rajiv Kovil, Head of Diabetology & Chairman, Zandra Healthcare Pvt Ltd, Mumbai)