When to worry about frequent infections with type 2 diabetes

Frequent Infections is a common presentation of Type 2 Diabetes. Glucose levels that remain higher than your target can affect the body's ability to respond to infection and can slow healing, particularly in the skin, feet, urinary tract, and mouth. Repeated infections may also reflect another health issue or a treatment problem, so they should be discussed rather than self-diagnosed. A frequent infection does not by itself prove that diabetes control is the cause.

Book a diabetes review if infections are recurring or taking longer to settle. Continue prescribed diabetes medicines unless your clinician gives sick-day instructions, check glucose as advised, drink fluids if you can, and inspect cuts or blisters each day. Keep a record of infection sites, temperatures, glucose readings, medicines, and changes in appetite or urination. Avoid treating wounds with unrecommended products.

Get urgent help for confusion, fainting, severe drowsiness, breathing difficulty, repeated vomiting, or inability to drink. Seek prompt assessment for a rapidly spreading skin infection, a painful or discoloured foot wound, persistent fever, severe pain, or very high glucose readings with marked thirst or frequent urination. Do not wait for a routine review if an infection is worsening quickly.

Ask whether your glucose plan, medicines, or monitoring need adjustment, and how to manage diabetes during illness. Ask how to care for a wound, when to test for infection, which symptoms require same-day help, and whether kidney, foot, dental, or vaccination checks are appropriate for you.