Chemotherapy and Infection Discussion Guide
What increases the chances of infection?
Strong chemotherapy may lower the number of white blood cells
The fewer white blood cells you have and the longer your white blood cell count is low after a cycle of
chemotherapy, the more risk you have for developing a potentially serious infection.
In addition, there are several other factors that may increase the chance of developing an infection because of a low number of white blood cells.
- — Age older than 65 years
- — Spread of cancer to the bones
- — Chemotherapy or radiation in the past
- — Low number of white blood cells that caused an infection in the past
- — Recent surgery
- — Other conditions (liver disease, kidney disease, infection, open wounds)
- — Decreased ability to perform daily tasks
Questions to ask my doctor
1. Does my chemotherapy put me at risk for a low number of white blood cells?
2. What will you look at to determine whether I have low number of white blood cells caused by chemotherapy?
3. Could a low number of white blood cells caused by chemotherapy affect my treatment?
4. What are my white blood cell levels?
5. How is a low number of white blood cells caused by chemotherapy treated?
6. Could low number of white blood cells be caused by something besides chemotherapy?
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Chemotherapy and Infection Discussion Guide
About chemotherapy and infection
General Explanation
Strong chemotherapy:
- — Kills cancer cells
- — May also kill white blood cells (which fight infections)
White blood cells are your body's first line of defense against bacteria and viruses. A lower number of white blood cells (neutropenia) increases the chances of an infection.
An infection can cause serious problems, such as:
- — Hospitalization
- — Having to take intravenous antibiotics
- — Possible death
- — Less effective chemotherapy
- • Reduced doses
- • Delays
How can chemotherapy affect my white blood cells?
One of the most serious potential side effects of many types of chemotherapy is a low neutrophil (NU-tro-fil: a type
of white blood cell that is important in fighting infections) count—a condition known as neutropenia
(nu-tro-PEEN-ee-ah). Strong chemotherapy that causes this side effect is called myelosuppressive (my-eh-low-suh-
PRESS-iv) because it suppresses your production of white blood cells.
A low white blood cell count can put you at risk for some infections
If you do get an infection, you may need to be hospitalized for treatment. Your doctor may need to delay
chemotherapy treatment until your white blood cell count has improved or reduce future doses of your planned chemotherapy dose.
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Chemotherapy and Infection Discussion Guide
What can I do to help prevent infection?
Infection cannot be completely prevented. However, there are many things you can do to decrease the risk of life threatening illness as a result of infection.
- – Always wash your hands with soap and plenty of water to avoid transmission of infection through things that you touch
- – Avoid people with colds or flu
- – Avoid large crowds to avoid coming into contact with sick people
- – Bathe daily and gently dry your skin
- – Use lotion to help prevent cracks in you skin
- – Prevent cuts or scrapes, which can provide places for infection to enter your body
- • Use an electric razor instead of a blade to prevent cuts
- • Handle sharp objects with caution
- – If you get a cut or scrape, then clean it with soap and water and then cover it with a bandage until it heals
- – Cook food thoroughly to kill infection-causing bacteria that may be in raw food
- – Ask your doctor if there are additional things that you should do to prevent infection
When should I call my doctor?
You should call your doctor or nurse team if you think you may have an infection. Signs and symptoms of an infection may include any of the following:
- – Body temperature (taken by mouth) that is 100.5°F. or higher
- – Chills
- – Cough
- – Sore throat
- – Shortness of breath
- – Nasal congestion
- – Sinus pain
- – Headache
- – Stiff or sore neck
- – Pain or burning while urinating
- – Skin rash
- – Swelling or redness anywhere, including the genital and rectal areas. If you have a catheter then watch the area around it.
Talk with your nurse or doctor BEFORE you get a fever about what you should do and what medications you
should take. This includes acetamenophin (such as Tylenol®), ibuprofen (such as Advil® or Motrin®), or aspirin.
Talk with your doctor or nurse about when you should call. Make sure that you know how to reach your doctor or
nurse after hours, nights, and weekends.
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