Covid-19 Your Prep Plan

Dr Kate Marsh explains how to be prepared for illness

Minimise your risk

People with diabetes are in the ‘high risk’ group when it comes to being impacted by the coronavirus. The same can be said for the seasonal flu.

Having diabetes increases the chances of getting very unwell if you are infected with a virus. For this reason, it’s especially critical you take steps to avoid becoming unwell and have a plan to manage diabetes and health if you do.

The best way to reduce the risk of infection is good hygiene, especially washing hands often with soap and water – including before and after eating or prepping food and after using the toilet. When this isn’t possible, use alcohol-based hand sanitisers. Physical distancing and self-isolation will also help. Learn more at health.gov.au.

How to avoid complications

1 Have a sick-day plan. This should have details of how often to check your BGLs (and whether you need to check your levels when unwell if you have type 2 and don’t usually self-monitor), when and how to adjust your medication (particularly if you are taking insulin), when to contact your doctor or diabetes team, and emergency contact numbers. If you don’t have a plan, your doctor or diabetes educator can help you develop one. If you do have one, make sure it is up-to-date.

2 Prep a sick-day kit, with:

• a copy of your sick-day plan.

• BGL monitoring equipment.

• ketone test strips (blood or urine) if you have type 1 or are taking diabetes medications called sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (such as Forxiga, Jardiance, Xigduo, Jardiamet and Qtern).

• hypo treatments, if taking insulin or sulphonylureas (such as Diamicron, Daonil, Glyade, Minidiab, Glimel and Amaryl).

• food and drinks for sick days, including both sweetened and sugar-free fluids.

• pain relief medication and a thermometer.

If you already have a sick-day kit, check that it is well-stocked and everything is still in-date.

Also make sure you have plenty of medication, insulin and diabetes supplies, in case you need to be in isolation. However, the Department of Health says there is no need to stockpile, as there are no current shortages or supply issues, and overbuying can stop other people with diabetes getting their medications and supplies.

What if you become unwell?

• Start following your plan.

• Let someone know you are unwell, particularly if you’re alone.

• Drink plenty of fluids and keep eating, if possible.

• If you self-monitor your BGLs, particularly if you have type 1, check them more often.

• Keep taking your diabetes medications, unless your plan advises otherwise – you may need to stop some medications if you are unable to eat, are vomiting and/or have diarrhoea, so check with your doctor or diabetes educator if you are unsure.

• Keep taking insulin and expect to increase your doses – even if you are unable to eat, it’s crucial not to stop taking insulin, even though doses may need adjusting.

• Contact your doctor or diabetes educator if you need help.

• Seek urgent medical care if needed.