During an illness such as flu or gastroenteritis, blood glucose levels can rise due to the stress of the illness. At the same time, poor appetite can also cause your blood glucose levels to drop and result in hypoglycemia.

It is important for you to know what to do when you are sick, to avoid high and low blood glucose levels. 

If you have Type 1 Diabetes, please discuss with your healthcare team on an individualised sick day plan. The information here may not apply to you. 

1.  Check Blood Glucose

·  Check your blood glucose level every 4 hours.

·  Set a timer for to remind yourself. 

2. Stay Hydrated

·  Drink plenty of water (if you are not on fluid restriction)

·  Sip at least half a cup of water or sugar-free fluid every hour 

3. Take Regular Meals

·  Take your meals as per usual as much as possible. Here are suggestions of easy-to-digest meals to help maintain your  blood glucose levels:

• 1 bowl of rice porridge

• 1 bowl of oatmeal porridge

• 1 bowl of macaroni soup

• 6 pieces of plain cracker with a beverage

• 2 slices of bread with soup

• Oral nutritional supplements formulated for diabetes

·  If you are unable to eat, and your blood glucose is between 4 and 10 mmol/L, take any of the following every 1 to 2 hours to maintain your blood glucose levels:

• Half a cup of fruit juice

• Half of cup of cordial

·  If your blood glucose drops to below 4 mmol/L, treat hypoglycaemia according to the 15/15 rule.

4. Advice for Diabetes Medication

·  Continue to take your insulin injections

·  Continue to take your diabetes tablets (with some exceptions below)

·  If you are vomiting, having diarrhoea, and/or eating or drinking very poorly, STOP SGLT 2 inhibitors (dapagliflozin, empagliflozin)

·  If your appetite is very poor, do speak to your healthcare provider regarding adjustments to your diabetes medication.

Seek medical attention if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms

 ·  Fever of more than 37.5⁰C for 2days

·  Recurrent low blood low blood glucose (less than 4 mmol/L)

·  Recurrent high blood glucose (more than 20 mmol/L)

·  Severe or persistent vomiting and inability to take in food

·  Severe or persistent abdominal pain

·  Feeling of breathlessness

·  Persistent diarrhoea

Back to Top