Sick Days, Covid-19 and Diabetes

Infections can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Be prepared. Work with your diabetes team to figure out a plan ahead of time for medications and blood sugar targets.

If You Are Sick

Keep taking your insulin or your diabetes medications. Your diabetes medications may need to be adjusted up or down to keep blood sugars in target. Contact your healthcare team if your blood sugars are above or below your target range so they can help you make any needed changes in your usual plan.
Test your blood sugar levels every four hours and keep a log. Knowing your blood sugar levels helps you and your diabetes team make any needed changes to your usual diabetes medication routine. If you are unable to check your own blood sugar levels, ask someone to help you check.
If your blood sugar is 240mg/dl or higher check for ketones (if instructed to do so by your diabetes team). If your ketones are moderate to large call your provider right away.
Try to eat as much of your regular meals and snacks as possible. Smaller, more frequent meals, and liquid or soft foods may be easier to tolerate.
Still able to eat? Make sure to drink plenty of non-calorie liquids like tea, broth and water to prevent dehydration. This is especially important if are vomiting, have diarrhea or have frequent urination.
If you are unable to eat your regular meal plan, substitute the below foods that have 15 grams of carbohydrate every 1 to 2 hours. If you have been throwing up or are nauseated, choose liquids and sip very slowly. Here is a list of foods with one serving (15 grams) of carbohydrate.

Snacks with 15 grams of Carbohydrates

½ fruit juice
Small fruit
1 slice toast
½ cup hot cereal
½ cup applesauce
½ cup regular soft drink
½ cup ice cream
6 saltine crackers

Ask about getting a flu and pneumonia vaccine when you are well.
Be prepared for illness. Have a Sick Day Kit Ready!

Sick Day Kit Items

Extra medications for diabetes and other symptoms
Blood glucose testing equipment
Thermometer
Sugary and non-sugary fluids
Ketone test strips (if instructed by your healthcare team)
A sick day plan of action

During illness, call your healthcare provider if:

If you can’t get your blood sugar levels below 300mg/dl.
You have a persistent fever.
You vomit more than once or have diarrhea 5 or more times within 24 hours.
You are very weak, have stomach pain or difficulty breathing.
If your urine shows moderate or large amounts of ketones.
For other reasons that you and your provider have discussed.

Diabetes and Covid-19

Prevent transmission

Wash hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, disinfect high touch areas and objects. Stay home and keep a six feet distance from others.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include:

Fever, cough (especially a dry cough), shortness of breath, loss of smell and taste.

Emergency Symptoms – Seek Medical Attention Immediately:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
New confusion or inability to arouse
Lips or face look blue

Visit the American Diabetes Association for more information – www.Diabetes.org