Diabetics are much more prone to getting infections - the higher blood glucose seems to support bacterial growth, as well the immune system is somewhat compromised, and the vascular system is also dysfunctional - poor blood flow means decreased ability to clear a potential infection.

Bad diabetics who have neuropathy in their feet tend to get cuts or scrapes on their feet which they can't feel cause they're numb and then they develop into infections - then they sometimes need amputations....but that's another story.

Too much Type II diabetes in this country b/c people eat too much and are too sedentary. Diabetes is a real killer, but with proper glucose control, it can be handled very well.