3. COVID 19 Background
• COVID 19 was officially named in 2019
– CO ; corona
– Vi ; virus
– D ; disease
– Novel ; not previously seen in humans or new
For people living with DIABETES, once contracted, COVID 19 , like
influenza, causes more complications and it may take longer to recover
4. How to prevent the spread
If you’re experiencing shortness of breath, cough or fever,
have traveled to infected regions,
or have had known or suspected contact with the virus
- CALL YOUR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN!!
If you’re not well and have a previously scheduled doctor’s
appointment - call first rather than showing up where you might
expose other people.
*Assume EVERYONE you come in contact with is POSITIVE and
that YOU are a CARRIER and will infect everyone you contact…..
5. How to prevent the spread of Covid 19
Wash hands frequently!
• 20 seconds or hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol and RUB HANDS TIL DRY!!
• Cover coughs and sneezes with tissue or elbow then wash your hands immediately!
• Wear cloth face covering out in public ( this is NOT a substitute for social distancing, it is to
protect OTHERS from YOU if you are a carrier just as much as to reduce your risk from others)
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Put distance between you and others at all times ( 6 ft minimum)
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
6. How to be better prepared
• Gather your supplies!
– List of medications and dosing schedules
– Phone numbers of Healthcare Providers, Pharmacy and Insurance
– Get 90 day refills of prescriptions if possible, arrange for home delivery
– Have a supply of simple CHO sources on hand for low blood sugar
episodes
– Use rubbing alcohol or soap to clean hands
– Have a supply of glucagon (if on dual insulin therapy) and ketone strips
in case of severe high or low blood glucose
– Extra household items/groceries so you don't have to go out
https://www.umassmed.edu/dcoe/diabetes-education/patient-resources/emergency-prep/
8. Talk to your Healthcare Team
• Know when to call the office
• Know how to check blood glucose levels ( if you don't have a glucometer, GET ONE!)
• Know how to check for ketones
• Know which medications you can use for colds, flu, virus and infection
• Know what changes to make to medications if necessary ( mealtime insulin, sulfonylureas in
particular)
• If using a CGM remember that some are affected by use
of tylenol or acetaminophen
WHEN IN DOUBT, GET YOUR METER OUT!!
9. What to do if you get sick; Sick Day Guidelines
When you’re sick, even if just a simple cold, your blood glucose may rise. It's important to follow these diabetes
sick day guidelines.
• Continue taking your diabetes medication unless your care team instructs you otherwise.
• Don't take over-the-counter cold or flu medication without checking with your care team.
• Continue your normal meal plan. If you can't stomach eating, instead try fruit juice, regular gelatin, or frozen juice
bars. Do your best to eat or drink 50 grams of carbohydrates every three to four hours.
• Drink plenty of water and/or other sugar-free liquids, to keep from getting dehydrated. If you can only tolerate
liquids, drink 8 oz. every hour while awake, alternating sugar-containing liquids one hour with sugar-free liquids
the next hour.
• Check your blood glucose as often as suggested by your care team.
• Ask your care team if it is okay to take sugar-free cough drops and syrups, unless you are not able to eat then use
regular
• If you use insulin, adjust the dosage according to your sick-day plan. Don't skip insulin. You need insulin even if
you cannot eat your normal meals. If you take pills, take the normal dose of medication unless your health care
team instructs you to stop.
• Make sure that someone is checking in on you several times a day.
https://www.umassmed.edu/dcoe/diabetes-education/patient-resources/sick-days/
10. Watch for symptoms (they can develop 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus )
COVID 19 affects different people in
different ways. Infected people have had a
wide range of symptoms reported- from
mild to severe
- Fever - Cough
- Shortness of breath - Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- New loss of taste or smell
- Muscle pain - Headache
- Sore throat
Seek medical attention immediately
CALL 911 if
- You have trouble breathing or shortness
of breath
- Pain or pressure in your chest
- Confusion or inability to arouse/awaken
- Bluish lips or face
11. Tips if you
contract the
Covid 19 virus:
• Drink lots of fluids
• Check blood glucose
more often, at least
every 2 hours or more
• Wash hands and clean
injection sites and
finger stick sites well
with soap and water or
alcohol
• Check ketones daily
and call Physician if
elevated
12. Call your health care provider if:
• unable to hold down food or fluids or have
persistent diarrhea for several hours
• experiencing abdominal pain for several
hours
• if urine ketones measure above trace
• blood glucose levels are higher than normal
after taking extra insulin (if recommended in
your sick-day plan)
• take oral medication for diabetes and your
blood glucose remains above range before a
meal and stays high for more than 24 hours.
*If you develop symptoms, call your Physician and have your blood
glucose readings, ketone readings and fluid intake amount to share
13. Stressed? Positive ways to manage stress:
• Exercise
• Meditate or pray
• Take a walk
• Talk with a supportive friend / family member
• Take a break from work or caregiver duties
• Listen to music
• Dance!
• Watch a funny video or movie
• Limit frequency of watching news
• Muscles tense?
• Stomach ache?
• Irritable?
• Drained or loss of motivation?
• Blood glucose higher than
usual?
The American Diabetes Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention remind us that people living with diabetes are more likely to experience severe symptoms and complications when infected with a virus. This does NOT mean a greater chance of contracting the virus.
COVID-19 poses additional concerns to people living with diabetes and requires extra planning. Uncontrolled blood glucose may increase the risk of developing severe illness from coronavirus. Co-morbidies such as cardiovascular or pulmonary disease increases the risk of complications further
