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Diabetes Sick-Day Kit

Going shopping for supplies is the last thing you want to do when you’re sick, so plan ahead by putting together a sick-day kit while you’re well. If you’re not sure whether you need all the items on this list, or you’re not sure how to use them, talk to your doctor or diabetes educator.

• List of important phone numbers, including health-care providers and friends or relatives you can call on for help
• List of all the medicines you currently take and doses
• Pen and pad of paper
• Thermometer
• Tissues
• Plastic bags (for disposing of used tissues)
• Hand sanitizer
• Alarm clock or timer to help you monitor blood glucose levels and ketones regularly
• Sugar-free cough drops, syrups, and throat lozenges
• 8-ounce measuring cup to help make sure you’re drinking enough liquids
• Manual can opener
• Nonsteroidal pain and fever relievers, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin
• Antidiarrheal and antivomiting medicines
• Blood glucose monitoring supplies
• Ketone test strips
• Glucose tablets or gel
• Insulin syringes
• Small sharps container
• Insulin pump supplies if you use a pump
• Glucagon emergency kit
• Shelf-stable foods such as unopened jars of applesauce, canned soup, peanut butter, canned tuna, and powdered milk
• Shelf-stable liquids such as bottled water, boxed juice, and powdered gelatin, sports drinks, and sugar-free beverages

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