Like everyone, people living with type 2 diabetes get sick with everyday illnesses such as influenza (flu), a cold, gastro, or other common infections. It is important to be prepared and to know what to do if you get sick. This includes having a personalised sick day action plan, and a sick day kit ready to use at the earliest sign of illness.

Start following your sick day action plan immediately if you feel unwell or have any signs of illness. Contact your doctor early to get medical treatment so you can avoid becoming more unwell and needing emergency care. Understanding how to manage your diabetes when you are sick and having a personalised plan can reduce the risk of developing serious problems.

Read more in our fact sheet or watch our video on managing diabetes when you are unwell.

An NDSS fact sheet titled 'Living well with type 2 diabetes – what to do when you are sick' providing guidance on managing diabetes during an illness. The header image shows an older man sitting on a couch looking unwell, holding a mug with one hand and resting his other hand on his head. The text sections cover sick day management and explain why it is crucial to manage blood glucose levels during an illness

Living well with type 2 diabetes – what to do when you are sick fact sheet

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A close-up photograph of a woman lying down under a blanket, looking unwell with her eyes closed. She rests one hand holding a tissue against her forehead as if checking for a fever, while her other hand holds a pink mug

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