If you have diabetes, you may be more susceptible to getting the flu. Diabetes can weaken your immune system and make it more difficult for your body to fight the flu virus. The most effective way to protect yourself against the flu is to get a flu vaccine.
If you have symptoms of the flu, contact your doctor right away. Flu symptoms include a fever of 100° or higher, cough, sore throat, headache, body aches, fatigue, and chills. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are less common symptoms.
Flu and other infections can raise your blood sugar. Keep taking your diabetes medications. Test your blood sugar more often – every four hours – and track results. Contact your health care provider if your blood glucose is lower than 60 mg/dL or more than 300 mg/dL.
Try to follow your usual meal plan the best you can. If you can only take liquids, replace your usual carbohydrate intake with juices, sports drinks or electrolyte beverages. Drink plenty of sugar-free beverages like water and broth to prevent dehydration. If you are unable to eat normally or keep any food down for six hours or more, contact your doctor. Also, weigh yourself daily and let your doctor know if your lose five pounds or more. Unintentional weight loss is a sign of high blood sugar.
You should also contact your health care provider or go to an emergency room right away if you have trouble breathing, have a fever of 101° or higher, have severe diarrhea, feel sleepy, or can’t think clearly.
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