International Diabetes Center > Diabetes Self-care > Sick Days

Sick days

You need to pay special attention to your diabetes during an illness, such as a cold or the flu. Illness puts stress on your body and can cause high blood glucose levels. In fact, high levels can be the first sign that you might be coming down with something.

Blood glucose levels can get high very fast when you are sick. This often can make you feel worse. Even when you are sick, you need to eat if you can. Your body needs food for energy so you can heal. You also need to eat so your blood glucose level does not drop too low.

Learn more about how to care for yourself when you are sick.

• What to do if you are sick
• When to call your health care provider
• Carbohydrate choices for sick days
• Diabetic ketoacidosis