Chemotherapy-Associated Fever: Remedies, Protection Strategies, and Assistance
Chemotherapy, while effective in treating cancer, can have a variety of side effects. One common side effect is neutropenia, a condition that weakens the immune system and increases susceptibility to infections. A fever, defined as a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher, is a sign that should not be ignored in patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Anyone who has developed a fever after recent chemotherapy should contact a medical professional immediately. This is crucial, as a fever can be a sign of an infection, medication reaction, inflammation, or even tumor growth. A person who has had chemotherapy and develops neutropenia is at risk of serious infections.
In such cases, the standard of care is the immediate initiation of broad-spectrum IV antibiotics to cover likely bacterial pathogens until cultures are available. This rapid antibiotic administration is essential due to the high risk of severe infections in febrile neutropenic patients.
In addition to antibiotics, caregivers may also be advised to administer granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSFs). These agents, such as filgrastim (Neupogen) or biosimilars like Zarxio and Granix, accelerate neutrophil recovery. Clinical trials have shown that filgrastim reduces the duration of neutropenia and fever, lowers infection-related complications, and shortens hospital stays without negatively impacting survival. G-CSFs are indicated both as prophylaxis during chemotherapy and adjunctive treatment when febrile neutropenia occurs.
Supportive care is also crucial. This includes hospitalization, monitoring for complications, hydration, and sometimes adjustment or delay of chemotherapy depending on the severity of neutropenia and infection risk.
In summary, treatment of fever during chemotherapy-related neutropenia involves rapid antibiotic administration combined with supportive therapies, including G-CSFs, to mitigate infection risk and promote bone marrow recovery. This approach is critical due to the potentially life-threatening nature of febrile neutropenia in cancer patients.
It is recommended for a person undergoing chemotherapy to know when their white blood cell count is likely to be at its lowest. A working thermometer should be kept nearby, and the doctor's phone number should be accessible. If someone begins to feel unusually warm or cold after recent chemotherapy, they should check their temperature every 4 hours, keep a record of the temperature readings, drink lots of liquids, get plenty of rest, and use a cold compress on their forehead if they feel hot. Caregivers should watch for shaking and chills, take the person's temperature when the shaking stops, and call a healthcare professional if a fever is present.
To prevent infections, a person may be prescribed antibiotics. Caregivers should also encourage visitors to only visit when they are well to avoid the spread of infections.
Infections can lead to sepsis, a medical emergency that can be life-threatening. Therefore, it is essential to take all necessary precautions and seek immediate medical attention if a fever develops.
- Chemotherapy, a science used for treating cancer, often results in a side effect called neutropenia, weakening the immune system.
- Neutropenia increases the risk of medical conditions, such as infections, chronic diseases like chronic kidney disease or type 2 diabetes, and even tumor growth.
- A fever, defined as a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher, can be a significant sign in patients undergoing chemotherapy and should not be ignored.
- Anyone who has developed a fever after recent chemotherapy should immediately contact a medical professional, as it may indicate an infection, medication reaction, inflammation, or other serious complications.
- In febrile neutropenic patients, the immediate initiation of broad-spectrum IV antibiotics is crucial to cover likely bacterial pathogens until cultures are available.
- Alongside antibiotics, therapies like granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSFs), such as filgrastim (Neupogen), filgrastim biosimilars like Zarxio and Granix, are used to accelerate neutrophil recovery.
- G-CSFs, which are indicated both as prophylaxis during chemotherapy and adjunctive treatment when febrile neutropenia occurs, have been shown to reduce the duration of neutropenia and fever, lower infection-related complications, and shorten hospital stays without negatively impacting survival.
- Supportive care, including hospitalization, monitoring for complications, hydration, and adjustment or delay of chemotherapy depending on the severity of neutropenia and infection risk, is also essential.
- In addition to cancer, a person's health-and-wellness may encompass other aspects like fitness-and-exercise, mental-health, skin-care, eye-health, hearing, digestive-health, and cardiovascular-health, which should all be monitored and maintained.
- Autoimmune disorders like psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis, skin-conditions, and chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease can also benefit from dietary adjustments, such as a focus on nutrition and avoidance of certain foods.
- Some individuals may turn to alternative treatments like CBD for managing symptoms or alleviating side effects of chemotherapy or other medical conditions.
- If a person undergoing chemotherapy knows when their white blood cell count is likely to be at its lowest, they can take precautions like keeping a working thermometer nearby, having their doctor's phone number accessible, and monitoring their temperature regularly.
- Preventive measures like prescribed antibiotics, maintaining cleanliness, and only allowing well visitors to come close can help reduce the risk of infections and potential complications like sepsis, a life-threatening medical emergency.
