Caught a cold, is that bad news?

[lucanus15]

Hello, again, I posted over the weekend about my fourth round of chemo being cancelled. Fristly thanks for the reassuring replies.

Now for another question: I have low white blood count, Leucocytes 2 900 Polynucléaires neutrophiles at 38 % 1 102 .

I can feel a cold coming on which is really ever so rare, I can usually go years without catching one. But yes now I'm just wondering whether it's worrying to catch a cold with low immunity or is it not automatically doom and gloom? I think I'm more worried because I have two little ones and need to be up and about and not in hospital!

I'm sure someone out there can reassure me, thanks in advance xxx

[Denzie]

Drink lots of fluids, get plenty of rest. My doctor has me take Mucinex because it doesn’t interfere with the process of the chemo drugs.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi lucanus 15

Chemotherapy units usually have a policy they follow when someone with low white blood cells has an infection. This is to make sure you get treatment with antibiotics straight away to prevent any complications.

If you have any symptoms of an infection such as a cold you should contact the hospital on the 24-hour contact numbers you have been given and speak to a nurse or doctor if:

•your temperature goes over 37.5°C (99.5°F)

•you suddenly feel unwell, even with a normal temperature

•you have any other symptoms of an infection such as a sore throat, cough or feeling shivery.

Developing an infection when you have a low number of white blood cells can sometimes be a serious complication of chemotherapy. Although this may sound scary, most people do not have any serious problems with infection.

Looking after yourself with two young children isn’t always easy. Avoid crowds and especially people with colds.

Kind regards,

All the team at the Roy Castle Helpline