Diabetes Diabetes is a persistent and fatal disease in which there is above normal levels of glucose in the bloodstream. This disease has many different effects on the body and is controlled in several different ways. Some people believe that this disease is contagious. This is not true. You cannot "catch" it from another person. Also, some think it will just "go away". This is also false. Certain measures can be taken to control it but it cannot be cured. There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is also called "insulin-dependent" diabetes. In this type, the body is unable to store and use gluco