Sick Day Guidelines

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Maintaining good diabetes control during periods of illness is not always easy. Even minor illnesses, such as a cold or sore throat can affect your blood sugars and make them higher. Your insulin doses may need to be changed. Check your blood sugar and ketones any time you are sick.

• It is important to continue taking insulin even if you cannot eat. The amount of insulin you need will vary depending on your blood sugar level, urine ketones and ability to eat.
• It is very important to test your blood sugar and ketone level before each meal and bedtime snack; more often if your blood sugar is low. However, high blood sugar is generally more common during illness. This is because insulin does not work as effectively during illness.
• If you cannot eat your usual meal, the sick day diet will provide you with a list of foods that are more easily tolerated during illness. Remember that liquids containing sugar are used to replace usual carbohydrates.
• Call your diabetes nurse practitioner/diabetes doctor if:
• You are not sure how much insulin to give.
• You are vomiting and cannot keep any liquids down.
• You are sick, and you have moderate or large ketones.

Sick Day Resources

Sick Day Decision Chart

Sick Day Meal Plan