Immune Suppressed Patients

            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 count often while you are getting chemotherapy.  There are medicines that help speed the recovery of white blood cells, shortening the time when the white blood count is very low.  These medicines are called colony stimulating factors (CSF).  Raising the white blood cell count greatly lowers the risk of serious infection. 

            Many infections come from bacteria normally found on your skin and in your mouth, intestines and genital tract.  Viruses from other people or dirty (contaminated) surfaces can also cause infections.   Sometimes, the cause of an infection may not be known.  Even if you take extra care, you still may get an infection.  But there are some things you can do.

How can I help prevent infections? 
             Practice Henry the Hand’s 4 Principles of Hand Awareness:

       1.  WASH your hands when they are dirty and BEFORE eating.

       2.  DO NOT cough into your hands.

       3.  DO NOT sneeze into your hands.

       4.  Above all, DO NOT put your fingers into your eyes, nose or mouth!

Wash your hands often during the day.  Be sure to wash them before you eat, after you use the bathroom, and after touching animals.

Do not put your fingers into your eyes, nose or mouth.  This can inoculate you with any germ on your hand.

Encourage family and friends to practice Henry’s 4 Principles of Hand Awareness “just for the health of it”.

Stay at least 3 feet away from people who have illnesses you can catch, such as a cold, the flu, measles, or chicken pox.  Remember, do not put your fingers into your eyes, nose or mouth.

Try to avoid crowds.  For example, go shopping or to the movies when the stores or theaters are least likely to be busy.  Wash your hands before you eat. Wipe your hands when you get into your car. Wash your hands when you arrive home.

Stay away from children who have recently received “live virus” vaccines such as chicken pox and oral polio, since they may be contagious to people with a low blood cell count.  Call your doctor or local health department if you have any questions.

Do not cut or tear the cuticles of your nails.

Be careful not to cut or nick yourself 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 and daily until healed with warm water, soap, and antiseptic.

Avoid contact with animal litter boxes and waste, bird cages and fish tanks.

Avoid standing water, for example, bird baths, flower vases or humidifiers.

Wear protective gloves when gardening or cleaning up after others, especially small children.

Do not get any immunizations, such as flu or pneumonia shots without checking with your doctor first.

Do not eat raw fish, seafood, meat or eggs. (Click Food Service link on the Home Page.)

Report any signs of infection to your doctor right away, even if it is in the middle of the night.  This is especially important when your white blood cell count is low.  If you have a fever, do not take aspirin, acetaminophen, or any other medicine to bring your temperature down without checking with your doctor. Thank you for helping to make this a safer and healther world.