Neutropenia is a common symptom after chemotherapy and can increase the risk of infection. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently published an article on this issue in the form of 8 questions and 8 answers for physicians to teach their patients to better understand and learn how to prevent it.
1. What is neutropenia?
Neutropenia is a decrease in the number of white blood cells. These cells are the body’s main defenders against viruses. Neutropenia is a common symptom after chemotherapy and can increase the risk of infection.
2. Why does chemotherapy cause neutropenia?
Anti-cancer drugs work by killing rapidly growing cells in the body – both good cells and bad cells. These drugs kill both cancer cells and healthy white blood cells.
3. How do I know that I have concurrent neutropenia?
Your supervising doctor or nurse will tell you. Neutropenia is a common symptom after chemotherapy, and your supervising doctor will draw blood to test for neutropenia.
4. When is neutropenia most likely to occur?
Neutropenia usually occurs within 7 to 12 days after receiving chemotherapy, and this cycle may vary depending on the chemotherapy drug. Your supervising physician and nurse will inform you when your white blood cells are likely to be at their lowest level. You should carefully stay for signs and symptoms of infection during this time.
5. What are the signs and symptoms of infection?
In neutropenic patients, even very mild infections can quickly become serious. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop the following symptoms.
(1) Fever, temperature ≥ 38°C for up to 1 hour or a single temperature ≥ 38,5°C.
(2) Chills and sweating.
(3) Cough or change in the nature of the existing cough.
(4) Sore throat.
(5) Shortness of breath.
(6) Nasal congestion.
(7) Stiffness in the neck.
(8) Painful urination.
(9) Abnormal vaginal discharge.
(10) Frequent urination.
(11) Redness, swelling, and pain in any area.
(12) Diarrhea.
(13) Vomiting.
(14) Pain in the abdomen or rectum.
(15) New onset of pain.
(16) Skin, urination or mental changes.
6.How can neutropenia be prevented?
There may be little that patients can do about preventing neutropenia, but you can reduce the risk of infection.
7. How can I prevent infections?
In addition to cooperating with your doctor’s treatment, you should do the following.
(1) Wash your hands regularly.
(2) Try to avoid going to crowded places and avoid contact with patients.
(3) Do not share food, cups, utensils or other daily necessities such as toothbrushes with others.
(4) Shower or bathe daily and use unscented lotions to prevent dry and cracked skin.
(5) Cook meat and eggs to ensure that bacteria are killed.
(6) Wash fruits and vegetables carefully.
(7) Wear gloves when cleaning up pet excrement to prevent contact with skin, and wash your hands immediately after cleaning.
(8) Wear gloves when doing gardening.
(9) Use a soft toothbrush to clean teeth and gums, and use mouthwash to prevent mouth ulcers if recommended by your doctor or nurse.
(10) Keep furniture surfaces as clean as possible.
(11) Get a flu vaccination as soon as possible.
8.What should I say if I go to the emergency room?
Patients receiving chemotherapy should not stay in the waiting room for too long. While you are receiving chemotherapy, a fever may be a sign of infection, and the infection can quickly become serious. When you check in, tell them immediately that you are receiving chemotherapy and have a fever. This may be a sign of infection.