What can you do to prevent/prepare for COVID-19?
Diabetes Canada is recommending to follow the guidelines stated by Public Health Canada:
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Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly with soap and water
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Sneeze and cough into your sleeve; when using tissues, immediately dispose of them into the garbage as soon as possible and wash your hands afterwards
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
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Regularly clean commonly used surfaces and devices you touch or handle.
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Try to avoid contact with people who are showing symptoms of respiratory illness, such as coughing
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Check national travel advice before planning or taking trips
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If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early and share previous travel history with your health-care provider
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If you have a scheduled visit with your health-care provider, contact them via phone/or portal first to see what other options you may have (many clinics have increased their use of telemedicine) as visiting a clinic can increase your risk of being exposed to the virus. Follow the advice of your health-care provider. LMC is currently doing most appointments virtually so you do not have to come in to the office.
In addition, you should consider:
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Ensuring you have 1-2 weeks-worth of insulin and pump supplies on hand in case you have to self-quarantine
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Keeping simple sugars on hand to prevent and treat low blood sugars.
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Having Glucagon or Baqsimi (nasal glucagon) on hand to treat severe low blood sugar.
See JDRF’s COVID FAQ Here: FAQ
What guidelines should you follow if you get COVID-19?
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Follow the Sick Day Management guidelines outlined in the handout below. Stay hydrated. Test your blood sugar/monitor your CGM/FGM more often. Be prepared to check for ketones. Adjust your insulin doses as needed (you may need more). Consider stopping some of your medications (outlined above) – but do not stop your insulin.
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Have a ketone meter on hand so you are able to test your ketones. Review the DKA handout below and to educate yourself on how to manage ketones should they be positive.
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If you are on an insulin pump, be sure to have extra pens or syringes on hand just in case you have a pump or infusion set issue. Remember, if you have high blood sugars (>14mmol/L) for many hours and have tried to correct, but your blood sugar is not moving: test ketones, change your site, and take a correction via a pen or syringe.
Sick Day Management Resources
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Diabetes Canada: Stay Safe When You Have Diabetes and Are Sick or at Risk of Dehydration
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LMC Sick Day Survival (Type 1 Diabetes)
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LMC Sick Day Survival (Type 2 Diabetes)
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LMC DKA Handout
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LMC Guide to Hypoglycemia
We sincerely hope you all stay safe and healthy during this time. We will be hosting a Zoom chat on Wednesday April 29th 6-7pm to answer any questions you may have about COVID-19 and Type 1 Diabetes, Sick Day Management or DKA Management (or if you’d just like to chat with other T1D’s during this time!). If you’d prefer to email your questions, please reach out to a Diabetes Educator (mailto:[email protected]).
Register via Zoom Password: 643062