Chemotherapy and radiation affect the bone marrow where all your
blood cells are made. The majority of patients receiving
chemotherapy and/or radiation will have some low blood counts. The
white blood cells are your infection-fighting cells, so when they
are lowered, usually seven to 14 days after treatment, you are at a
higher risk for getting an infection.
When to call your nurse or doctor
Please tell your nurse or doctor if you have:
- a fever of more than 101 degrees Fahrenheit
- shaking or chills
- burning or frequent urination
- a cough or sore throat
- redness, swelling or drainage in any area
Ways to help prevent getting an infection
- Remind all visitors to wash their hands. Hand washing is the
most important way to prevent spreading an infection.
- Do not have more than three visitors at one time. Family or
friends should not visit if they have skin, intestinal or
respiratory infections. Only children who are family members should
visit. Those children should not have come in contact with exposure
to an illness that can be spread within the last three weeks.
- Wear a special filter mask (N95) if you leave your room.
- Keep your hospital room door closed at all times. Leave your
bathroom door open. (This helps the air circulation work to protect
you.)
- Do not have fresh plants, flowers or dried moss in your
room.
- Do not let anyone bring you food made outside the hospital
unless your doctor says it's OK. If it is OK, eat the food right
away.
- Be sure to wash all fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Brush your teeth with a soft bristled toothbrush or a sponge
brush.
- Rinse your mouth with a salt solution four times a day to keep
your mouth moist and clean.
- If you are a woman of child-bearing age, do not use
tampons.
- Practice proper skin care. Pat, don't rub, your skin. Do not
use a straight edge razor only use an electric razor.
- Do not keep any water pitchers at your bedside. Bacteria can
form in stale water.
Your white blood cell count will get better. Until then, it is
important to take these extra precautions to prevent infections.
Please ask your nurse if you have any questions about low white
blood cell counts and infection precautions.