Preventing Infections in Cancer Patients
People receiving chemotherapy are at risk for developing an infection when their white blood cell count is low. White blood cells are the body’s main defense against infection. This condition, called neutropenia, is common after receiving chemotherapy. For patients with this condition, any infection can become serious quickly.
If you have cancer now or have had cancer in the past, you are at higher risk for complications from the flu. Learn what cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers should know about the flu.
Featured Resources
Health care providers: Display our “Fight Back! Get Your Flu Shot” poster [PDF-1.5MB] in your office as a reminder for cancer patients.
Our “Understanding Your Risk for Infection During Chemotherapy” health tip sheet explains what an infection is and who is at risk.
In this blog post, Dr. Lisa Richardson shares what she tells her patients and friends when they ask about the side effects of chemotherapy.
- Page last reviewed: November 28, 2016
- Page last updated: November 28, 2016
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