One of the most important aspect of Diabetes care for those with and giving care is to know SICK DAY RULES.
This fundamental aspect of care, away from hospital, has stopped serious complications of diabetes when the patient falls sick.
So, for you and the patient to have agreed on a plan to use during falling sick is of vital importance.
Sick day rules apply to COVID-19 patients. When patients may have lack of appetite, be dehydrated in spite of being thirsty SICK DAY RULES ALSO APPLY TO COVI-19 WHERE PATEINTS SHOW LACK OF APPWTITE AND REMIN DEHYDARTED AND UNABLE TO DRINK BECAUSE OF NAUSE AND VOMITING WITH DIARRHOEA IN SOME.
General advice:
Type 1 diabetes:
Type 1 & 2 diabetes: pay perticular attention to SGLT2 inhibitors.
Advice diabetic persons: "You do not need to be tested for COVID-19."
If you are a person with diabetes, phone your HCP if your symptoms:
are severe or you have shortness of breath
worsen during home isolation
have not improved after 7 days
If you have type 2 diabetes: "know Diabetes"
Ensure you have enough glucose testing equipment and if appropriate ketone testing strips (this might be if you have had your diabetes for a long time or have had ketones in the past). Ketones are uncommon in type 2 but remain a risk if glucose is high for a significant time &/or during illness.
Make sure you have a good stock of your medications, orals tablets &/or injectable therapies.
Be aware of your sick day rules provided by your diabetes educator team
Stay hydrated – have plenty of unsweetened drinks and eat little and often
