Download Cancer: Low White Blood Cell Count

Cancer: Low White Blood Cell Count
play a role. Small children and older people are
at a higher risk of having a low white blood cell
count, as are people who have other health
problems.
There are medicines that help the body make
white blood cells. These medicines may help
some people with low white blood cell counts.
These are given as shots after chemotherapy to
keep the white blood cell count up. A higher
blood cell count may help you avoid infections.
What happens if your white blood
cell count drops?
White blood cells help fight germs that cause
infection. Cancer treatment can lower your white
blood cell count, which is the number of white
blood cells in your body. This makes it easier
to get an infection. Chemotherapy is the most
common cancer treatment that causes a low
white blood cell count. Radiation and other
treatments also may lower the white blood cell
count.
There are things you can do to stay as healthy
as possible and reduce your chance of an
infection.
You can get infections easily if your white blood
cell count drops. Even a mild infection that
would not have been a problem when you were
healthier can be serious when you have cancer.
You may not have the defenses to fight it off.
Watch your temperature and call your doctor if
it goes up and stays up.
How can you avoid an infection?
• Wash your hands often, especially before
you eat and before and after you go to the
bathroom.
• Shower or bathe daily.
• Gently brush your teeth every day with a soft
toothbrush.
How will cancer treatment affect
your white blood cell count?
• Keep your nails clean and trimmed. Do not
cut or pick your cuticles.
Cancer treatments destroy cancer cells. But a
common side effect is that they also can
decrease your white blood cell count, making it
hard for you to fight infections. Once your
treatment is done, your white blood cell count
will slowly improve.
• Stay away from people who are sick.
Your chance of having a low white blood cell
count depends on your type of cancer, the type
of treatment, and how often you have the
treatment. Your age and your overall health also
• Avoid crowds.
• Talk to your doctor before you get any
vaccination, including the flu vaccine.
• Try not to get cuts or burns. Use an electric
razor if you shave. If you get a cut, clean it
right away with soap and warm water.
• Eat well and get plenty of sleep.
What about safe food handling?
How is an infection treated?
Your doctor may tell you not to eat fresh fruits
and vegetables and to eat only well-done meat.
Germs that live inside meats are not always
killed unless the meat is fully cooked. Germs
on fresh fruits and vegetables are not always
easy to wash off, and you can get an infection.
You can eat frozen or canned fruits and
vegetables.
If you get an infection, your doctor may give
you antibiotics to help fight the infection. You
may need to be in the hospital for this. Your
doctor will do blood tests to make sure that your
white blood cell counts are going up.
What are the signs of infection?
• You have a fever.
• You have chills (shakes) or sweating.
• You have a sore throat or cough.
• You have burning when you urinate or have
to go very often.
• You have redness, pain, or swelling around
a sore or IV site.
• You have unusual vaginal drainage or
itching.
• You feel sick, even if you do not have a
fever.
If you are at home, take your antibiotics exactly
as prescribed. If you don't get better, or have
other concerns, call your doctor.
Questions to ask your doctor
Talk to your doctor about your risk for having
a low white blood cell count during treatment.
Ask about how to avoid an infection. There are
medicines that can help your body make more
white blood cells. Ask your doctor if these
medicines are right for you.
Use the space below to list your questions or
concerns. Take this sheet with you to your next
doctor visit.
Questions about low white blood cell
count:
• You get spots on your skin.
• You have swollen glands.
• You have mouth sores or diarrhea. These
sometimes can be caused by cancer
treatment. Call your doctor if you have
diarrhea or mouth sores that do not get better
with home treatment.
Even a mild infection can be serious when you
have cancer, especially if you do not have the
white blood cells to fight it off. Ask your doctor
about when to call if you think you have an
infection.
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of this information, which does not replace medical advice.
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