Having type 1 diabetes does not mean you're likely to get ill more often than usual.
But if you do get ill, it can make your blood glucose higher or lower, so you'll have to take extra care, particularly if you're being sick, have diarrhoea or are not eating much.
Your care team will give you guidelines about how to adjust your insulin dose when you're ill. These are sometimes known as sick day rules.
Do
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keep taking your insulin and adjust your dose if you need to
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test glucose more often than normal
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drink lots of water or sugar-free drinks to avoid dehydration
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check for ketones – you can get strips from your care team to test your pee
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try to eat – if you cannot eat, drink sugary or milky drinks, try ice cream, or suck on sweets
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contact your care team if you're not sure what to do
Don’t
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do not worry about taking sugary medicine – small amounts will not matter
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do not have fizzy (carbonated) drinks – if not possible, let them go flat
Flu vaccine
Get the flu vaccine every year. Everyone with type 1 diabetes can get it for free.
Check with your GP surgery when they offer the flu vaccine.
Going to hospital
If you end up in A&E for something that is not diabetes, like a broken bone, tell staff as soon as you arrive that you have type 1 diabetes.
Make sure staff know how important it is for you to have insulin and food containing carbs.
If you cannot eat because you need a test or an operation, you should be able to get a glucose drip.
If you need to stay in hospital, tell anyone who's treating you that you have diabetes – do not assume they'll know.
Check your blood glucose levels more than usual. The stress of being in hospital and moving around less might make them higher.