{"id":48391,"date":"2018-01-16T10:04:31","date_gmt":"2018-01-16T15:04:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/asweetlife.org\/?p=48391"},"modified":"2019-10-30T10:17:07","modified_gmt":"2019-10-30T14:17:07","slug":"what-to-do-with-diabetes-and-the-flu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asweetlife.org\/?p=48391","title":{"rendered":"What to Do with Diabetes and the Flu"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dealing with diabetes and SWOOP in comes flu season?\u00a0 Let\u2019s see what our best defenses are.<\/p>\n

Get a flu shot.<\/strong>\u00a0 You might think it\u2019s too late in the season to vaccinate, but it\u2019s not.\u00a0 Flu shots are still readily available across the country and you can \u2013 and should<\/a> \u2013 get one.\u00a0 (And if you\u2019re already dealing with the flu, skip to the next set of recommendations.\u00a0 Also, I\u2019m sorry you\u2019re sick.)\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Track your symptoms.<\/strong>\u00a0 Symptoms of the flu<\/a> include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, aching body, headache, chills, fatigue, and sometimes vomiting and\/or diarrhea.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Take preventative actions.<\/strong>\u00a0 Do what you can to keep germs at bay. Wash your hands with soap and water (for at least 20 seconds) often throughout the day, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth (because that\u2019s a delicious way for germs to jump into your body).\u00a0 Don\u2019t share drinks or utensils, in efforts to keep germs contained.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re sick, STAY HOME.<\/strong>\u00a0 This can be frustrating advice, especially when your job depends on you being there, but do your best to keep your sick self, or sick child, at home.\u00a0 Don\u2019t go to the grocery store, don\u2019t drop something off at work \u2013 keep your germs at home.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re sick, call your doctor early.<\/strong>\u00a0 Don\u2019t wait until day 5 of your illness to reach out to your medical team.\u00a0 As soon as symptoms start, reach out, as antiviral drugs work best when started as early as possible<\/a> (the Centers for Disease Control recommend within 48 hours of symptoms starting).\u00a0 Involving your doctor early can make a big difference in your recovery.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget about diabetes.<\/strong>\u00a0 Even if you have the flu, you still need to take all of your diabetes medications<\/a>, and you also need to keep extra tight tabs on your blood sugars.\u00a0 Checking for ketones<\/a> is also crucial, especially if you are running high and\/or dehydrated.\u00a0 And if you\u2019re presenting ketones, call your doc ASAP.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Stay fed and watered.<\/strong>\u00a0 Feeling crummy might keep you from wanting to eat or drink, but stay on top of your diabetes by staying hydrated and snacking whenever possible (while tracking BGs, of course).\u00a0 \u00a0Be sure to have glucagon (or a quick-acting hypoglycemia treatment on hand that’s easy) , just in case you\u2019re vomiting and also dealing with low blood sugars.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sleep.<\/strong>\u00a0This one might be hard to come by, but do your best to sleep as much as possible so you can recover fully and quickly.\u00a0 Rest, hydration, and good blood sugar management can help you fight back against the flu, so get snuggly, grab a water bottle, and keep your meter close by.<\/p>\n

Flu season can be a scary time for people with diabetes because we always seem to be part of the \u201cvulnerable population\u201d of people who might have to deal with some flu-related complications.\u00a0 But there\u2019s a lot we can do to help prevent the flu, and also to treat it, if we end up getting it. \u00a0Stay as well as possible out there!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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