Diabetes and fever

PickledPepper said:

Hi folks!

Am laying around with a slight fever. It's the first time I've been ill post diagnosis.

Just wondering about any general advice from some of you veterans out there. How do you best deal with flus, colds, fevers etc with the condition?

Are there any extra dangers we need to be worried about? I did have my flu jab a few months ago btw.

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As you are Type 2 diet only your Bg levels will rise a bit with the fever, this is normal and will go back to normal when you are better.

Drink plenty of fluids, take your normal painkillers if you need them and be careful with OTC remedies. Choose sugar-free ones and ask Chemist for advice if you are not sure.

For other members information:


Basic sick day rules are:

Never stop taking your medication even if you are ill and cannot eat unless you are advised to do so by your HCP.

Check your Bg level more frequently so you know what is happening. Don't get too worried if they fluctuate during your illness. They will get back to normal once the illness is over.

Drink plenty of fluids, water, sugar free drinks throughout the day. If you don't feel like eating solid food try alternatives like soup, ice cream, milk etc.

If you are at all worried contact your HCP for further advice.

Re colds, runny noses - my usual treatment was Lemsip with honey, before diabetes. Now that's a no-no. For my last cold I followed Hana's tip and had a single, over-the-counter antihistamine just before bed. No runny nose that night, therefore a good night's sleep which did me lots of good.

I checked with my pharmacist (not that I don't believe you, Hana!) and she was fine with it, though advised just at bedtime if possible on the 'let it run out' theory.

Worth trying, unless there are medical reasons for you not to take antihistamines.

Vivienne.
You are quite right about the anti-histamines, there is a long list of conditions where people should use caution and get medical advice before taking any OTC or homemade remedies.

As here :

A number of health conditions can be made worse by taking antihistamines, or cause the antihistamines to react unpredictably. Get advice from your GP or pharmacist before taking antihistamines if you have:

• diabetes,
• high blood pressure (hypertension),
• glaucoma,
• an enlarged prostate,
• heart disease,
• epilepsy,
• liver disease,
• kidney disease,
• a bladder obstruction,
• an overactive thyroid, or
• an intestinal or stomach blockage.

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As we are so fond of saying here : It isn't all about Diabetes !!