As the seasons change, kids are back in school, and common illnesses begin making their rounds. One of the most common—and most inconvenient—illnesses is the flu, which can do quite a number of the body of a diabetic.

The Flu and Diabetes

The flu has the potential to be dangerous for diabetics, because the process of eating, drinking, and quickly expelling foods and liquids can mess with blood sugar, and make keeping your numbers ideal extremely difficult. While a 2-4 day flu bender is not going to do irreversible damage to your body, it can throw your numbers enough to cause some inflammation.

Your body is not going to be able to maintain perfect sugar levels during an illness—and likely would not do so even if you did not have diabetes. A few preparatory measures, however, can help your body cope with the presence of the flu without too much difficulty or damage.

4 Ways to Stay Safe

#1. Drink Plenty of Electrolyte Fluids

When you have the flu, your body quickly and effectively depletes its nutrient stores. Keep your body functioning properly by drinking plenty of fluids, including those with additional electrolytes. Some water has electrolytes added, as do Pedialyte and coconut water. All of these are great options for replenishing nutrients, as long as they do not have any added sugar.

#2. Increase Your Blood Checks

Your blood sugar levels can skyrocket and drop quickly when you are ill. These spikes can prove dangerous if they are not treated, so make sure you check your sugar more frequently when you are sick. The illness your body is coping with may obscure your usual symptoms of high or low blood glucose.

#3. Load Up On Probiotics

While probiotics may not kick your illness immediately, your body can use all the help it can get. Take probiotics to build up your immune system even in the midst of illness, and to ward off a future outbreak.

#4. Continue Eating

You’ll likely have lost your appetite, but make sure you keep eating. Do not force yourself to eat a hearty meal, but take in healthy snacks, such as some toast with butter, yogurt, or soup. All of these are easy on the stomach but provide some health benefits and carbohydrates to keep your body going.

#5. Avoid Sugar-Laden Medicine

Finally, avoid sugary over-the-counter treatments. That cough medicine may look like a miracle drug on the counter, but most are filled with flavoring, coloring, and sugar, and have the potential to do more harm than good in a diabetic. Avoid sugary medicine in favor of sugar-free options, or let the illness run its course.

The simple flu can be far more dangerous for a diabetic than a general member of the population. Prevention is the best strategy against the flu, but if you are unable to prevent a bout of sickness, be sure to stay on top of your numbers and give your body plenty of fuel.