Imagine your fever comes at midnight, you do not feel like eating, and you wonder whether to take your sugar tablet. Many people face this, and a wrong decision can cause trouble. Here is a simple plan.
Why illness disturbs sugar
During infection or fever, the body releases stress hormones that push sugar up. At the same time, you may eat and drink less, which can cause low sugar or dehydration. So sugar can swing either way.
What to do at home
- Check sugar more often, every 4 hours or as advised.
- Keep sipping fluids: water, buttermilk, ORS, clear soups, to avoid dehydration.
- Try to eat small, easy meals. If you cannot eat, take sugary liquids in small sips.
- Do not stop insulin on your own. Insulin is often still needed, even when you are not eating. Ask your doctor about the dose.
- Rest, and treat fever with paracetamol as advised.
Medicines to ask about
Some medicines need a pause when you are vomiting, have loose motions or cannot drink, such as metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, and some blood pressure and kidney medicines. Please call your doctor for advice rather than guessing.
Call your doctor or go to hospital if
- Vomiting or loose motions for more than 6 hours.
- Sugar remains above 250 mg/dL, or you cannot keep fluids down.
- Fast, deep breathing, fruity breath, stomach pain or drowsiness.
- Fever more than 2 to 3 days, or you feel very weak.
Be prepared
Keep a thermometer, ORS, a glucometer, strips, glucose tablets and your doctor’s number ready at home. Preparing before illness comes is much easier than rushing during a night emergency.
If you live in Gopanpally, Gowlidoddi, Nallagandla or Tellapur, or work in the Financial District or Nanakramguda, a simple blood sugar check is available at our clinic in Gopanpally, Gachibowli. You can read more about our diabetes care or contact us to book a visit.
Keep reading
Your family doctor,
Akhila Reddy
MBBS, DNB (Family Medicine) | TSMC Reg. No. APMC/FMR/74261
AMC Hospital, Gopanpally, Gachibowli, Hyderabad
This article is for general health education and does not replace a check-up. Every person is different, so please speak to your doctor before changing any medicine. In an emergency, call 108 or go to the nearest hospital.
References
- American Diabetes Association. Standards of Care in Diabetes-2025: Glycemic Goals; Diabetes Care in the Hospital. Diabetes Care 2025;48(Suppl 1). https://diabetesjournals.org/care/issue/48/Supplement_1
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes: sick day plan. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/