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.
Features
For Patients and Caregivers
If you're getting chemotherapy, you're at risk for life-threatening infections when your white blood cell count is at its lowest.
About the Program
Preventing Infections in Cancer Patients provides information, action steps, and tools to help reduce infections during chemotherapy.
For Health Care Providers
Tools to help health care providers standardize and improve infection control and prevention practices.
Cancer, the Flu, and You
CDC answers your questions about special considerations for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers for the flu.
Neutropenia Fact Sheet
Neutropenia and Risk for Infection: What You Need to Know [PDF-174KB] explains the risk of getting an infection when your white blood cell count is low while you are receiving chemotherapy.
Send a Health-e-Card!
Encourage a cancer patient you care about to learn how to avoid getting an infection during their chemotherapy treatment with CDC's Someone I Love Has Cancer electronic greeting card.
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