Information for Patients and Caregivers
![Photo of a man receiving chemotherapy](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20210120010637im_/https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/preventinfections/images/man-chemo-350.jpg)
People with cancer who are treated with chemotherapy are more likely to get infections because of their weakened immune system.
People with cancer who are treated with chemotherapy are more likely to get infections because of their weakened immune system. Cancer and chemotherapy can damage your immune system, reducing your numbers of infection-fighting white blood cells and making it harder for your body to fight infections.
An infection can also lead to sepsis, the body’s extreme response to an infection. It is a life-threatening medical emergency.
Having cancer currently increases your risk of severe illness from COVID-19. At this time, it is not known whether having a history of cancer increases your risk. Learn more.
What Is an Infection?
You get an infection when germs enter your body and multiply, causing illness, organ and tissue damage, or disease. Bacteria and viruses cause infections.
- You can get bacteria from the air, water, soil, or food during the course of your medical treatment. Most bacteria come from your own body. Common bacterial infections include pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and ear infections.
- Viruses are passed from one person to another. Common viral infections include the common cold, herpes, and the flu.
How Does Chemotherapy Increase My Risk for Getting an Infection?
![Diagram showing how chemotherapy increases risk for infections. Chemotherapy drugs are used to treat cancer by killing the fastest-growing cells in the body; both good cells and cancer cells. Neutropenia is a side effect of chemotherapy that means your body has fewer than normal infection-fighting white blood cells. Infection is when germs enter your body and cause illness. Neutropenia can lead to infection.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20210120010637im_/https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/research/articles/images/how-chemo-increases-risk-for-infections.jpg)
What Should I Do If I Think I Have an Infection?
Call your doctor right away, even if this happens in the middle of the night. This is considered an emergency. Don’t wait until morning. Keep your doctor’s phone numbers with you at all times. Make sure you know what number to call during your doctor’s office hours, as well as after hours.
What Can I Do to Protect Myself from an Infection?
- Staying Healthy During Cancer Treatment
- Living Well During Treatmentexternal icon (American Cancer Society)
- Prevent Getting Sick from COVID-19
- Staying Well While Staying at Homeexternal icon (3 Steps Toward Preventing Infections During Cancer Treatment)