Chemotherapy can make you more likely to get infections. This happens because most anticancer drugs affect the bone marrow, making it harder to make white blood cells (WBCs), the cells that fight many types of infections. Your doctor will check your blood cell count often while you are getting chemotherapy. Medicines called colony stimulating factors (CSFs) help speed the recovery of white blood cells, shortening the time when the white blood count is very low. Raising the white blood cell count greatly lowers the risk of serious infection. Most infections come from bacteria normally found on your skin and in your mouth, intestines, and genital tract. Sometimes, the cause of an infection may not be known.

Urgent signs and symptoms - Call clinic or hospital operator NOW

• High fever
• Persistent heat and redness of an IV or surgical site
• Pain, tenderness or swelling of an IV or surgical site

What you can do at home

• Wash your hands often during the day. Be sure to wash them before you eat, after you use the bathroom, and after touching animals.
• Clean your rectal area gently but thoroughly after each bowel movement. Ask your doctor or nurse for advice if the area becomes irritated or if you have hemorrhoids.
• Stay away from people who have illnesses you can catch, such as a cold, the flu, measles, or chickenpox.
• Try to avoid crowds. For example, go shopping or to the movies when the stores or theaters are least likely to be busy.
• Avoid children who recently have received “live virus” vaccines such as chickenpox and oral polio, since they may be contagious to people with a low blood cell count.
• Do not cut or tear the cuticles of your nails.
• Be careful not to cut or nick yourself when using scissors, needles, or knives.
• Use an electric shaver instead of a razor to prevent breaks or cuts in your skin.
• Maintain good mouth care.
• Do not squeeze or scratch pimples.
• Take a warm (not hot) bath, shower, or sponge bath every day. Pat your skin dry using a light touch. Do not rub too hard.
• Use lotion or oil to soften and heal your skin if it becomes dry and cracked.
• Clean cuts and scrapes right away with warm water, soap, and an antiseptic.
• Avoid contact with animal litter boxes and waste, birdcages, and fish tanks.
• Avoid standing water, for example, birdbaths, flower vases, or humidifiers.
• Wear protective gloves when gardening or cleaning up after small children.
• Check with your doctor before getting any immunizations, such as flu or pneumonia shots.
• Cook all fish, seafood, meat, and eggs; do not eat them raw.

"Symptom Management" - Table of Contents >>  Suggestions for Coping with Care at Home >>  Anemia >>  Anxiety >>  Bleeding >>  Body Image Changes >>  Breathing Problems >>  Change and Uncertainty >>  Constipation >>  Dehydration >>  Depression >>  Diarrhea >>  Fatigue >>  Fever >>  Hair Loss >>  Infection >>  Kidney and Bladder Effects >>  Memory and Concentration >>  Mouth Pain/ Mucositis >>  Nausea and Vomiting >>  Nerve and Muscle Effects >>  Pain >>  Sexuality >>  Sleep Disturbances >>  White Blood Cells >>  Symptom Notes