![]() If you think you may need a vaccination, be sure to talk to your oncologist. Oncologists generally recommend that people ensure they’re up to date on their vaccinations, including the seasonal flu shot. Most other vaccines contain dead viruses, which are easier for the body to handle. These include the nasal mist flu vaccine, MMR vaccine, and varicella vaccine, says the American Cancer Society. Some vaccines contain live viruses, which can be problematic if you’re on chemotherapy. And ask healthy visitors to cover their mouths with their elbows if they sneeze or cough. Request that family and friends reschedule a visit if they have any symptoms of illness, including a cold. “Sometimes it’s unavoidable, but if it’s elective, I recommend pushing it until later,” says Geiger. That means staying away from places that are likely to be crowded, such as the subway, airplanes, or the childcare center - especially during cold and flu season. Avoid People Who Are SickĪnother top recommendation if you’re undergoing chemotherapy is to avoid people who are sick, Geiger says. Use enough to completely cover your hands, and rub over all surfaces. If soap and water aren’t available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol, advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rinse with water, and air-dry or pat dry with a clean towel. ![]() Scrub for at least 20 seconds, including the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. To get your hands clean, wet them and add soap liberally. Wash your hands every time you prepare food, both before and after when you eat and after you use the restroom. “Handwashing is single-handedly the most effective way to reduce infection,” says Geiger, and it’s essential for you and everyone around you to do so regularly when you’re undergoing chemotherapy. Tips to Reduce Infection Risk During Chemotherapy 1. Here are nine ways to avoid infections during chemotherapy. Talk to your oncologist to understand when you’re at risk of infection. Just how long you’ll need to be cautious depends on the type of cancer and your treatment, says Dr. “Chemotherapy wipes out a person’s immune system so they can’t fight off infections that they may encounter,” says Jessica Geiger, MD, an oncologist at Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center who specializes in head and neck cancer. With fewer white blood cells, your body has a harder time fighting off bacteria and viruses. As cancer grows in this place, the remaining bone marrow cells may not be able to produce enough white blood cells to fight infections.Ĭhemotherapy and other cancer treatments also kill the fastest-growing cells throughout your body, including the bone marrow responsible for making your white blood cells. Cancer can spread to the space in your bones, displacing your bone marrow’s healthy cells. ![]() Bone marrow resides inside the large bones in your body, such as your hip and thigh bones. Infection-fighting white blood cells are produced in the bone marrow - the blood-making “factory” responsible for producing the cells in your blood. That’s because cancer itself can increase your risk for infections, especially when you’re also undergoing cancer treatments like chemo. When you start chemotherapy, your doctor will likely advise you to be extra vigilant about washing your hands and avoiding people who are sick.
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