![]() If high blood glucose levels aren’t managed, this can lead to conditions called diabetic ketoacidosis (also called DKA, which usually occurs in those with type 1 diabetes) or hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic syndrome (also called HHS, which usually occurs in older people with type 2 diabetes). For example, if you take insulin, you may need to increase your doses, while if you take tablets you might need to switch to insulin temporarily while you are unwell. But in some cases, particularly with severe infections, your blood glucose levels can become very high and you may need a change or increase in medication. In many cases, illness will cause a mild or moderate increase in blood glucose levels for a few days and levels will return to normal once you start feeling better. Combined with changes in your eating and activity levels when you are under the weather, it can be harder to keep your blood glucose in your target range. ![]() These hormones tend to raise blood glucose levels and make it harder for your insulin to work. To deal with this stress, your body releases hormones that help it fight the illness or infection. Illness or infection is a stress on the body. You can find more information on reducing your risk on the Department of Health website How does being unwell affect your diabetes?Īs well as making you feel unwell, being sick can make it more difficult to manage your diabetes. Social distancing can also help – this means avoiding large gatherings, keeping a distance of 1.5 metres between you and other people whenever possible and avoiding close contact with others, particularly if they are unwell. When this isn’t possible, use alcohol-based hand sanitisers. The best way to reduce your risk of infection is to practise good hygiene, particularly washing your hands often with soap and water, including before and after eating or preparing food and after going to the toilet. For this reason, it is especially important that you take steps to avoid becoming unwell and that you have a plan in place to manage your diabetes and health if you do. However, what we do know is that having diabetes increases the chances of becoming very unwell if you are infected with a virus. What we don’t really know is whether everyone with diabetes is at greater risk or just some people-for example, those with diabetes-related complications. Overall, people with diabetes seem to get infections at higher rates than those without. But what are the facts and should you really be concerned? ![]() Understandably, this may make you anxious or scared. The same can be said for the seasonal flu. If you’ve been following the media – and let’s face it, it’s hard not to at the moment – you’d have heard that people with diabetes are in the ‘high risk’ group when it comes to being impacted by the coronavirus. ![]()
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