A common cold or more serious bug can also play havoc with blood sugar levels.

1. Give in. If you need extra insulin for the term of your bug invasion it's not the end of the world, despite the fact you may be eating very little. Do lots of blood tests. And work with your diabetes team to increase insulin doses to keep your blood sugars under control.
   
2. Drink Up! Keep your body hydrated by drinking lots of water.
   
3. Eat. I don't mean to sound like your mother but if you want to get better faster, eat soups with lots of vegies, fruits and custards and throw in some protein too.
   
4. Try to avoid: bombarding the body with massive doses of vitamin C. If your body is not used to it, massive doses can cause really bad diarrhoea. Lovely!
   
5. Pills and potions. If it makes you feel better go for it, but remember almost all currently available agents treat the symptoms not the cause, ie: you will not get better faster. Some medicines can add to high blood glucose levels. Ask the pharmacist to recommend a suitable cold and 'flu medication.
   
6. Check Ketones. Ketones are chemicals in the blood produced when an alternative source of energy to glucose is required and fat is broken down. Combined with high blood glucose levels, this can be dangerous and lead to Ketoacidosis.
   
   If you are ill and have blood sugars above 15, check ketones either with urine test strips or some blood test machines also allow ketone testing (with different strips). If ketones are present call your doctor or diabetes educator. See Ketones for more information about ketones.