He is not doing well. Yesterday he slept most of the day. His BS's were pretty near to normal. But he felt chills/sweaty all day and was able to get down some soup and drink fluids. But he really looks like crap! He slept all night in another bed away from me and I took our 4 yr old son to my mom and dad's over night because I read it is highly contagious. He called me at work when he got up and he sounded horrible and said his fever was back up and he still felt like crap. I've been researching FLU on the net and it does say it takes up to 4-5 days to recover a bit, but up to a week or more to fully recover. So, I'm wondering if I should go home at all LOL J/K - but I don't want this stuff either. Anyway, he called in to work again today and he said himself if he's not feeling better tomorrow AM, he will go back to his Dr. since that's what the discharge orders said that he needs to follow up. I wanted to THANK YOU so much for making me aware that FLU is no "no big deal" with diabetics. I worry about him as it is being 40 and on so many different drugs and now being sick.
Sandra

Wanted to put my 2 cents in...Whenever a Daibetic (T1 T2)is sick whether it be the Flu or just a cold they have to be very careful in taking their diabetic medication....The medication dosage they are prescribed is for when they are healthy and eating regular meals.....when you are sick you are not eating regularly nor are you moving about...so it needs to be adjusted....I know it is hard when you are sick to check your own blood glucose levels but if you are not eating your meds need to be reduced....if your blood glucose level drops to far then you will be very lathargic and lets not forget go into shock....and if you are consuming foods high in carb count then you need to increase your meds...

I would also use caution on using OTC medication...some have ingredients that will effect your blood glucose level....there are though some made speciacally for diabetics.


On the side of your exposure.....you should always be using good personal hygiene when you are dealing with someone who is ill...

Here's the problem with flu:

The pt. runs a fever, burning a lot of calories. But at the same time, he/she is having trouble eating food (keeps throwing up, feels too rotten, and etc.) So they can easily fall into caloric deficit, depending on fat-burning to get their energy.

In moderation, this is a good thing for chubby people :) But this can have deadly side effects when the pt. becomes dehydrated or unable to excrete the 3 poisons which this process creates: #1 acetone, which is excreted by breathing (if his breath smells "sweet, fruity" then FLY to an emergency room ASAP!); #2 and #3, beta-hydroxybutyric acid and acetoacetic acid, these are excreted in the urine, but if they build up too fast they make your blood too Acidic. If that goes too far it kills you. That's the problem (err, unless you hate him, and are in a position to inherit everything :evil-smiley: ).

For a pt. who can't consume and hold down enough caloric food while running a high temp, and especially a pt. who is also dehydrated from throwing up and/or incapable of drinking adequate fluids, this DKA ("Diabetic Ketoacidosis") is properly managed via intravenous Glucose, Fluids, and (separately) Insulin to match. Obviously, this is INPATIENT stuff.

A nasty factor contributing to the risk which you and he are taking is: You say he's sleeping a lot... and the DKA victim, untreated, falls into coma before death. Are you awake AND WATCHING CONTINUOUSLY to see if he slips from one to the other?

On the other hand, I have some good news for you, if he stays home: there are test-at-home strips for Ketones in Urine (cheaper but not good enough for your situation, IMO). There are also at-home strips for blood testing, I feel that the price difference is justified in your situation. Maybe $70 for the meter and $4 per strip. Look here:

http://www.diabetes123.com/d_0n_030.htm

Here's the current ADA standard for hospital admission re DKA:"Plasma glucose >250 mg/dl (>13.9 mmol/l) with 1) arterial pH <7.30 and serum bicarbonate level <15 mEq/l and 2) moderate ketonuria and/or ketonemia."


This standard is old (2000), and the page says "Currently, there is a committee considering a major revision of this position statement." It doesn't explicitly talk about flu.

Hi there! THANK YOU so much for this. I'm going to print it off and give it to DH. My son (4) and I stayed at my mom and dad's last nite. He was a little "better" but still had chills/sweats. He had a small fever as well. He is not and has not vomited/diahrrea yet, so that's good news there and he said his BS was about 135 yesterday AM. I'll write more in a bit, just got to work and have to open. But, I'll update you when he calls me this AM to tell me how he's doing. You are SO HELPFUL, ALL OF YOU! Thank you!
Sandra