Impaired immune system and anemia - Side effect to cancer treatment

White blood cells are an important part of the body's immune system. When the number of white blood cells is low, the body's defence against infections is impaired.

Even if your white blood cell count is low, there is no need for you to isolate. You can go shopping, attend social gatherings and in general be with other people.

Be aware however, of the following signs of an infection:

• Temperature above 38.5 C
• Chills
• Experiencing pain while urinating
• Coughing
• Pain when swallowing

If you have symptoms of an infection, and your white blood cell count is very low, you may be admitted to hospital and be given antibiotics.

• Avoid socialising with people who have the 'flu or a cold. If the people you co-habit with are infected, try and avoid close contact with them
• Make sure everybody at home observes good hand hygiene
• Get your 'flu jab
• Use gloves when gardening to avoid thorns and scratches. If you get a scratch or a little wound, wash immediately with soap and water, and keep it dry and clean until fully healed
• Wash hands often using mild soap and water, and always before meals and after having been to the toilet. Avoid excessive use of soap however, as it will remove the natural oils of the skin, drying your skin out and causing small cracks to appear where bacteria can enter. Therefore: always moisturise after washing your hands!
• Observe good mouth hygiene by cleaning and rinsing your mouth frequently
• Drink 1-1½ litres of fluid during the day to avoid bladder infection
• Women should use sanitary towels rather than tampons
• Use gloves when in contact with cat litter, aquariums, bird cages and the like

Anemia is caused by a low blood count of the red blood cells. This develops slowly over time - weeks or sometimes months.

Typical symptoms are:

• Tiredness
• Dizziness
• Heart palpatations
• Shortness of breath
• Headache
• Buzzing in the ears
• Feeling cold/cold hands and feet

As a rule your treatment will not be postponed, but the doctor may suggest a blood transfusion, if your blood count is low, or you are bothered by the symptoms.

Iron supplements will not alleviate anemia caused by chemotherapy, so you can't make the anemia disappear by taking iron tablets.

A low platelet count reduces the bloods ability to clot, and this increases the risk of bleeding. Symptoms could be nosebleed, gum bleeding, blood in your urine or stool and, for women, vaginal bleeding. You may also experience pinpoint bleeding in the skin that looks like a puplish-red rash (petechiae).

In case of a very low platelet count, it may be necessary to give you a platelet transfusion.

• Be careful when using sharp tools such as knives, scissors, needles and saws
• Use an eletric shaver rather than a razor
• Brush your teeth gently using a soft tooth brush
• When blowing your nose, do it gently
• Prevent getting constipated
• Use sanitary towels rather than tampons
• In case you need to take your temperature: use vaseline or exploration gel to prevent rectal fissures
• Avoid pain killers such as Ibuprofen and Kodimagnyl, as they contain acetylsalicylic acid, which increases the risk of bleeding. Use Paracetamol (Panodil, Pinex, Pamol) instead