T.J. Samson | Destination Health | June 2019

June 2019 7 Check your temperature anytime you think you might have a fever. If you have one, call your doctor immediately. W hen you’re being treated for cancer, infections may not seem like a big concern. But you are at increased risk for potentially dangerous infections when you’re getting chemotherapy. Here is what you need to know about your risk and what you can do to lower it. Chemo ups your risk. You’re more likely to get infections during chemotherapy be- cause both cancer and chemotherapy can damage your immune system, which normally helps pro- tect you from infections.This damage can result in a condition called neutropenia , which causes a low white blood cell count. Your infection risk is highest when your white blood cell count is lowest. This usually happens between seven and 12 days after each chemo dose. Ask your doctor when he or she thinks your white blood cell count will fall. Infection ALERT 1 2 3 4 5 5 things people with cancer need to know about infections Wellness That way you can be especially vigilant about preventing infections—or acting quickly if you have one—during the times when you’re most at risk of getting sick. Some infections can be serious. Each year, about 60,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized because of cancer-related infections. Some infections can even lead to life-threatening sepsis. Fever may be your only sign of infection. Check your temperature anytime you think you might have a fever (such as when you’re feeling warm or ill). If you have one, call your doctor immediately. You may need emergency care. Also call your doctor if you develop other possible signs of infection, such as a cough, a sore throat, a stuffy nose, diarrhea, vomiting, or redness or swelling in any area of your body. Clean your hands often. Scrub up before eating and after going to the bathroom, touching a pet, or taking out the trash. Use soap and water to wash away germs—or rub on an alcohol-based hand sanitizer in a pinch. Remind those around you, including your doctors and your family, to clean their hands too.They won’t mind if you do. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention