Chemotherapy can cause tiredness, confusion, and depression by interfering with certain functions in the central nervous system (brain) causing. These feelings will vanish once the chemotherapy dose is lowered or after finishing chemotherapy treatment..
Chemotherapy can make more likely to get infections. This happens because most anticancer drugs affect the bone marrow, making it harder to make white blood cells (WBCs), the cells that fight many types of infections. There are medicines that help speed the recovery of white blood cells, shortening the time when the white blood count is very low. These medicines are called colony stimulating factors (CSF). Raising the white blood cell count greatly lowers the risk of serious infection
Most infections come from bacteria normally found on your skin and in the mouth, intestines and genital tract. Sometimes, the cause of an infection may not be known.
Wash hands often during the day. Be sure to wash them before eating, after using the bathroom, and after touching animals.
Clean the rectal area gently but thoroughly after each bowel movement. Stay away from people who have illnesses such as a cold, the flu, measles, or chicken pox. Try to avoid crowds. Stay away from children who recently have received “live virus” vaccines such as chicken pox and oral polio, since they may be contagious to people with a low blood cell count..
Do not cut or tear the cuticles of the nails. Be careful not to cut or nick when using scissors, needles, or knives.
Maintain good mouth care. Do not squeeze or scratch pimples. Use lotion or oil to soften and heal skin if it becomes dry and cracked. Avoid contact with animal litter boxes and waste, bird cages, and fish tanks. Avoid standing water, for example, bird baths, flower vases, or humidifiers
Wear protective gloves when gardening or cleaning up after others, especially small children. Do not get any immunizations, such as flu or pneumonia shots, without checking with your doctor first. Do not eat raw fish, seafood, meat, or eggs. Use an electric shaver instead of a razor to prevent breaks or cuts in your skin.
Anticancer drugs can affect the bone marrow’s ability to make platelets, the blood cells that help stop bleeding by making the blood clot. If the blood does not have enough platelets, it may bleed or bruise more easily than usual, even without an injury.
