How to Treat a Diabetic With the Flu
Diabetes is a chronic disease that diabetics must manage every day with a proper diet, exercise and sometimes medication. When diabetics catch the flu, it can be complicated because blood sugar levels tend to rise and infection can occur. If you care for a diabetic and monitor the illness, the patient should recover with few complications. However, it is advisable to keep the doctor informed.
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Instructions
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Follow the meal plan. If the patient has nausea or is vomiting, choose soft foods or liquids. It's still important to eat to provide energy. Try soups, crackers, jello or toast. One cup of soup typically provides 15 grams of carbohydrates. If the patient cannot keep food down, try ginger ale. The sugar amount is okay since the patient is not eating.
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Take the diabetic's temperature in the morning and evening. It's important to watch the fever because of possible infection. If you call a doctor, be ready to provide the temperature.
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Provide plenty of fluids. Vomiting or diarrhea can dehydrate the body. Provide salty liquids such as broth, bouillon or tomato juice. Have water available at all times. Urge the patient to drink half a cup of fluid every 30 to 60 minutes, even if she has to sip the water or fluid.
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Provide the diabetic's medication. Insure that you give any medicine or inject insulin as scheduled.
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Test blood sugar. It is advisable to test blood sugar levels at least every four hours while the patient is sick. You should check the blood sugar every hour if it starts to climb.
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Tips & Warnings
Type 1 diabetes should be tested for ketones. Ask the doctor when to test. Ask the doctor about a flu shot every year in October.
If blood sugar levels are higher than the target range, call the doctor. If the illness lasts longer than 48 hours, call the doctor. If the temperature spikes over 101 degrees, call the doctor.
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