Chemotherapy Infections

When chemotherapy is used in the treatment of cancer, one or more "anti-cancer" drugs are administered into the body to not only control the progression of the disease, but also kill the abnormal cells responsible for cancer. Treatment can actually cause you to suffer from a condition known as neutropenia, which is an extremely reduced amount of white blood cells. And since white blood cells are crucial to your immune response, the dip in number can increase your chances of "chemotherapy-related" infections.

Symptoms

• If you were to suffer from an infection due to chemotherapy, the first symptom you often experience is a fever. This fever is typically moderate in nature, starting out at 100.4 degrees F, but can escalate from there. You may also begin to suffer from a sore throat, congestion, shortness of breath, chills, cough, fatigue and pain upon urination.

Types

• Since your immune response is compromised, you are actually susceptible to almost any type of infection. However, there are some common infections that do plague cancer patient going through this form of treatment. Respiratory tract infections are probably one of the more common, such as the flu, common cold, pneumonia and bronchitis, but you may also find your self dealing with more frequent bladder and sinus infections as well as those that bother your gastrointestinal tract. You may even suffer from what is known as a "systematic" infection, which is essentially an illness that affects the entire body.

Prevention

• Of course, the most effective form of treatment in chemotherapy-related infections is prevention, so put into place some simple self-care measures as soon as you start treatment. Washing your hands is by far one of the more important, but you should also make sure to steer clear of people suffering from colds and the flu as well as areas that attract large numbers, such as malls, grocery stores and schools, if at all possible. From there, personal hygiene is very important, making bathing and moisturizing important parts of your daily routine. Even shaving should be done with greater precaution, as cuts won't necessarily heal as "normal."

Self-Care

• While not every cut, scrape or crack in the skin is cause for a trip to your oncologist, you still want to care for these injuries as soon as possible to prevent infection. Thoroughly clean the area with warm, soapy water and then dry completely. Follow up with an antiseptic and dress the wound with a sterile bandage. Make sure to change the dressing each day after washing.

Treatment

• When an infection does set in, talk to your doctor at its first sign. You want to get treatment as soon as possible so the infection doesn't have a chance to worsen and spread. Remember, you're dealing with a lowered immune system, and your body is unable to fight off pathogens like before. For the most part, treatment will follow the same course of care as it would in someone without cancer, but your doctor will need to manage your condition.