'Infection is a metabolic stress, and it raises your blood sugar,' Dr. The most dangerous - although it’s rare in people with type 2 diabetes - is diabetic ketoacidosis, which can lead to a diabetic coma, according to endocrinologist Alan Garber, MD, PhD, a professor of medicine in diabetes, endocrinology, and metabolism at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and president of the American College of Endocrinology. Infections, particularly serious ones, can lead to diabetes complications. That’s because a cold, sinus infection, or the flu can put your body under stress, causing it to release hormones that help fight the illness - but these hormones can also affect your blood sugar levels.
In fact, when you’re sick, you need to be extra mindful to stay on top of your diabetes self-care. Type 2 diabetes doesn’t take a day off - even if you’re feeling lousy because you have a cold or the flu.
