Numerous adverse effects are associated with chemotherapy. Following their treatments, some patients develop a fever, commonly referred to as "chemo fever." Getting treatment for chemotherapy fever is critical.
Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, a potentially fatal illness, is usually the cause of chemotherapy-induced fevers because it reduces the body's natural defenses against infection: white blood cells.
After receiving chemotherapy, you must get in touch with your medical team as soon as possible if you develop a fever.
Can chemotherapy cause a fever?
Fever can sometimes be brought on by chemotherapy. Cancer cells are killed by chemotherapy. Additionally, it may lower the quantity of white blood cells, which are essential for the body to fight illness. A deficiency of white blood cells facilitates the rapid development of infections, particularly serious illnesses.
One common sign of an infection is fever. Neutropenia is a side effect of chemotherapy treatment that is an infection brought on by decreased white blood cells. Neutropenia and fever are not common side effects of chemotherapy treatment for patients.
When are you most likely to have a high fever after chemotherapy?
Chemo fevers usually peak three to four days following therapy.
Fever is frequently a bigger problem during the first round of chemotherapy treatment than it is in subsequent cycles. On days 10 through 14, when your blood levels are low and you are more susceptible to infection, they may jump once more.
On the other hand, fevers can appear at any time if an infection does.
When to see emergency careIt is a medical emergency if you have a fever after treatment. Seek immediate medical attention by going to the closest emergency room.If your temperature hits 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, you have a fever.
It's crucial to get in touch with your doctor as soon as a new symptom appears after receiving chemotherapy.
After receiving chemotherapy, it's a good idea to monitor your temperature if you feel hot, cold, tired, or have any other symptoms that might point to a fever.
In adults, a temperature of more than 100.4°F (38°C) is regarded as a fever.
Your body's ability to resist infection is decreased by chemotherapy. This implies that a fever that occurs during chemotherapy treatments may indicate a serious infection, possibly even fatal.
What are the symptoms of a high fever after chemotherapy?
A fever can induce several important symptoms. Among them are:
- feeling warm
- fatigue
- aches
- chills
- sweating
If any of these symptoms occur, it's critical to take your temperature.
What causes a high fever after chemotherapy?
The body's capacity to create white blood cells, which fight infections, is decreased by chemotherapy. A person is more susceptible to infections, which raise fevers when their white blood cell count is lower.
What are the risk factors for high fever after chemotherapy?
There are no particular predisposing variables that lead to fever following treatment. Furthermore, it is impossible to anticipate or stop a fever after therapy.
If a fever does occur, you can still take precautions including keeping an eye on your symptoms and body temperature.
How is a high fever after chemotherapy diagnosed?
Inquiries about your symptoms and most recent chemotherapy treatment will be made by the doctor. They will want to know whether you are having any other symptoms, including:
- a cough
- mouth sores
- new pain
- skin irritation
- edema and skin discoloration surrounding an IV site
Blood tests may also be prescribed by your doctor. These might consist of:
- Complete blood count (CBC): The total number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in your blood is displayed by a complete blood count (CBC).
- Blood culture: One test that can identify the kind of bacteria or virus causing an infection is a blood culture.
How is a high fever after chemotherapy treated?
The underlying reason for your fever and the intensity of any illness will determine how you should be treated. Among the potential therapies are:
- Certain over-the-counter medications: Fever can be lowered and minor symptoms can be treated with over-the-counter drugs like paracetamol. Even if these drugs don't require a prescription, it's still advisable to see your doctor before using them. A medical practitioner should always be consulted when a patient has chemo fever.
- Antibiotics: Your main course of therapy will probably involve taking an antibiotic to address the underlying infection. You may be given an antiviral drug if a virus is the source of your infection.
- Colony-stimulating factors: Medications known as colony-stimulating factors can help raise your white blood cell count.
In addition, your doctor may advise home remedies including drinking enough water, getting plenty of rest, and applying a cool compress to help reduce fever.
What’s the outlook for people who have a high fever after chemotherapy?
After chemotherapy, a fever can become extremely dangerous. It might indicate a potentially deadly infection that spreads quickly. But fevers can also be effectively treated. Keeping your temperature after chemotherapy under control is best achieved by promptly notifying your doctor.
FAQs
Is it normal to get a fever after chemo?
Fever and other flu-like symptoms can indeed result from chemotherapy. Before presuming that your fever is just chemotherapy-induced, it's crucial to consult your doctor because it could be the result of a serious infection.
What is the 7-day rule in chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy cycles can be scheduled so that, in approximately 7 days, there will be 5 days of chemotherapy followed by 2 days off. Keeping drug levels constant: The 7-day guideline aids in ensuring that the body has adequate chemotherapy to combat cancer.
Why do cancer patients get a fever?
Fever in cancer patients is most commonly caused by infection. Because many cancer treatments can produce a decrease in white blood cell counts, known as neutropenia, people with cancer are more susceptible to infection. White blood cells combat infection.
Takeaway
People undergoing chemotherapy frequently develop a fever following their treatment. Chemotherapy can impair the body's ability to produce white blood cells that fight infections to be damaged.
Following chemotherapy, a fever is usually dangerous and needs to be treated right away. Chemo fevers can be treated with medications such as antibiotics and colony-stimulating agents.
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