7 Tips to Prevent Infection in Patients With Chemotherapy - While undergoing chemotherapy (chemotherapy) to treat cancer, the patient will experience a variety of side effects including nausea, diarrhea, hair loss, and anemia.
When doing chemotherapy, the immune system also tends to weaken thereby increasing the likelihood of infection.
Here are the steps to reduce the chance of infection during chemotherapy.
1. Understanding that every patient who underwent chemotherapy is usually greater risk of infection.
However, any chemotherapy drugs have different risks. Consult with a physician to assess patient risk and to determine preventive measures against infection.
2. Change lifestyle to strengthen the body's condition. Eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein, avoiding alcohol, and adequate rest.
3. Do blood tests to monitor white blood cell counts to determine whether there is a change from the normal white blood cell count.
4. Avoid close with people who have the flu, colds or other illnesses caused by viruses.
Also recommended to minimize contact with the public facility could be the source of the spread of germs such as transportation systems, malls, school, or office.
5. Frequently wash your hands, especially after touching a person, animal or object handle dirty.
Wear gloves when gardening and caring for plants and be careful when using knives, scissors or other sharp instrument to avoid injuries that can lead to infection.
6. Brush your teeth regularly and gently to help prevent infection in the throat and mouth.
7. Consult with your doctor if you have symptoms of infection such as excessive sweating, redness, blistering, swelling, fever, chills, urinary problems, cough, and sinus pain.
The symptoms of the infection must be addressed to minimize the adverse effects of the body.