Yes. Many methods are available to help prevent infections during chemotherapy, including the following self-care approaches:[1]
• To reduce the amount of microbes (i.e., germs) that you consume in food, eat thoroughly cooked, rather than raw, foods.
• Avoid being in the presence of people who currently have the flu or colds.
• Reduce your exposure to people who have potentially communicable diseases by avoiding being in large crowds of people.
• As we all touch inanimate objects that others have touched previously, wash your hands with soap and water throughout the day.
• Bathe every day. After bathing, be sure to dry your skin thoroughly.
• To keep your skin moisturized in order to avoid cracks in the skin, use skin lotion frequently.
• Wear gloves when possible in order to prevent scrapes and cuts on your hands from occurring.
• Use care when handling sharp objects in order to prevent cuts from occurring.
• When shaving, use an electric razor, rather than a razor blade, to prevent cuts from occurring.
• If you experience a scrape or cut in your skin, apply antibiotic ointment and keep the affected area covered with a clean bandage until the skin has healed.
• Take your temperature daily, as fever can be an early sign of infection. Tell your oncologist immediately if you are having a fever; i.e., a temperature greater than 100.4 degrees F (greater than 38 degrees C).
If you notice any unusual symptoms suggesting infection in the following parts of your body, tell your oncologist immediately:[1]
Site of Infection (Specific Symptoms Suggesting Infection)
Whole body (Flu-like symptoms)
Skin (Redness, swelling, tenderness, or pain
near a cut)
Head (Headache, due to sinus infection)
Sinus (Headache, nasal congestion, pain in
sinuses)
Respiratory system (Cough, colored sputum released during
(coughing, or congestion in chest)
Gastrointestinal tract (Cramps or diarrhea)
Rectum (Bleeding or pain during bowel
movement)
Bladder (Pain during urination)
Prompt treatment with antibiotics can be very effective in controlling various types of bacterial infection. Similarly, prompt treatment with antifungal drugs can be very effective in controlling fungal infection.
Some patients undergoing chemotherapy are treated with the biological medication, Neulasta (generic name, pegfilgrastim) to prevent neutropenia-related infections. Neulasta is an injectable version of a polyethylene glycol compound and human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), a molecule that stimulates the bone marrow to produce more neutrophils (a certain type of white blood cell).
Neulasta stays longer in the body than does a similar biological medication, Neupogen (generic name, filgrastim).
Neutropenia is a low level (i.e., low count) of neutrophils. As neutrophils normally help fight infections, raising the level of neutrophils in the blood of patients with neutropenia can help prevent infections and help the body overcome existing infections.
REFERENCE
1. Managing a low white blood cell count (neutropenia). Accessed at www.chemotherapy.com.
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