Managing illness with diabetes

Managing illness with diabetes

Key messages for Type 1 diabetics:

• Do not stop taking your insulin.
• Do not delay seeking advice – if you are unsure, immediately contact your Paediatric Diabetes Specialist Nurse or, if out-of-hours, Riverbank Ward (telephone number 01905 760588).
• Monitor blood glucose levels frequently – you may need to increase checking/testing your glucose level to 2 hourly during a period of illness to stay safe, even at night.
• Rest – if you have ketones present, activity can make them worse.
• Encourage sugar-free fluids.
• Test for ketones – especially if your blood glucose level is 14 mmol/l or above.
• Maintain some intake of carbohydrate containing food or drinks.
• Consider changing your pump/cannula.

Please click on the relevant link below for our sick day rules leaflet depending on your treatment regimen:

• Pen injections
• Insulin pump / hybrid closed loop system