People with diabetes can be more prone to infections, especially if the blood glucose levels are at a higher than normal level. In addition, nearly all infections will cause blood glucose levels to rise.

Infections in older people, if not dealt with promptly, can lead to serious complications which may necessitate admission to hospital.

Signs and symptoms of infection include:

• Temperature
• Viral signs and symptoms including headache, cough, fatigue, chills, generalized aches
•  Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
• Cloudy or foul smelling urine, frequency or burning on passing urine
• Swelling, redness, tenderness, rash
• Foul smelling and / or discharging skin wound
• Sore mouth, white patches in the mouth

However, sometimes signs and symptoms are not obvious, but a change in mobility, or the onset of a confusional state may indicate infection.

What to do 

• Urgent referral to the GP is necessary for the treatment of the infection.
• Make sure the person does not become dehydrated by giving regular fluids.
• If someone has diarrhoea, carers should be aware that they may be more prone to hypoglycaemia. 
• Keep testing their blood glucose to monitor improvement or deterioration.

Important
Do not stop diabetes treatment. The dose of diabetes medication may need to be increased for the duration of infection.

Reviewed March 2010
Next review September 2011