catching a cold
Im just asking a questions: If you catch a cold while on Chemo and your immune system is down,how do you get better from that cold?
Forum Discussion
I just wanted to add on to melclarity's contribution that if you have a constant temperature of 38 or it hits 38.5 that you should go to the hospital for treatment and supervision.
From orientation all the way through to three weeks after my last session my team were almost melodramatic on the subject of colds. Yes your immunity is reduced but it isn't gone, you will still fight the cold but not as effectively so it can spiral out of control.
That said, I had several "colds" that were simply chemo side-effects - runny nose, aches, lethargy, sore eyes, and headache all balled together. I felt virus style sick, but I wasn't. The only thing I could do about it was drink water, take 2 Panadol, have up-seated naps, and keep a thermometer close at hand just to be my personal reassuring safety monitor.
If you suspect you're sick it's worth going to your GP. It's not a time you really want to gamble. They'll know what kind of treatments are compatible with your chemo and might save you a trip to the hospital.
I hope you stay in as much good health as can be expected though. <3
From orientation all the way through to three weeks after my last session my team were almost melodramatic on the subject of colds. Yes your immunity is reduced but it isn't gone, you will still fight the cold but not as effectively so it can spiral out of control.
That said, I had several "colds" that were simply chemo side-effects - runny nose, aches, lethargy, sore eyes, and headache all balled together. I felt virus style sick, but I wasn't. The only thing I could do about it was drink water, take 2 Panadol, have up-seated naps, and keep a thermometer close at hand just to be my personal reassuring safety monitor.
If you suspect you're sick it's worth going to your GP. It's not a time you really want to gamble. They'll know what kind of treatments are compatible with your chemo and might save you a trip to the hospital.
I hope you stay in as much good health as can be expected though. <3