It is possible to help prevent the more serious effects of illness on diabetes, keep your blood glucose levels down and keep dehydration at bay by following some important steps.

Be prepared

• Ask your doctor or diabetes nurse what to do if you become ill. This helps you to know in advance so that you can be prepared.
• Vaccines against flu and pneumococcal pneumonia are recommended for all people with diabetes, so make sure that you have yours.
• Illnesses can often strike unexpectedly. Make sure you always have a supply of blood or urine testing strips available, so that you can monitor your blood glucose level when you are unwell.
• If you have Type 1 diabetes, you will need ketone testing strips. These are available on prescription from your GP.
• Keep the telephone numbers of your GP and diabetes nurse close to hand so that you, or someone looking after you, can easily be reminded of what to do and will know who to call in an emergency.
• Keep some basic medicines, such as cough medicine and painkillers, in the house. Make sure that they have not passed their expiry date before taking them. Sugar-free varieties are available from pharmacists, although these are not essential because you will only be taking small amounts.
• Keep some sugary drinks at home for emergencies. You may not want to eat but will need to continue taking some carbohydrates.
• Looking after your diabetes when you are not feeling well can be hard work. Try to make sure that there is someone who you can call on to help you if you become ill.

Reviewed December 2009
Next review June 2011