Preventing Infections During Blood Cancer Treatment: A Practical Guide to Staying Safe

When you are being treated for blood cancer, your body's ability to fight off infections can drop significantly — sometimes without you even realizing it. Infections are one of the most common and serious complications of blood cancer treatment, and understanding how to prevent them can make a real difference in how safely and smoothly you move through your care. This guide covers why infection risk increases during treatment, what warning signs to watch for, and everyday steps you can take to protect yourself.

Why Blood Cancer Treatment Increases Infection Risk

Blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma affect the bone marrow and immune system directly. Both the disease itself and treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and stem cell transplants can dramatically lower your white blood cell count — particularly a type of white blood cell called neutrophils. Neutrophils are your body's frontline defenders against bacteria and fungi, and when their numbers drop too low, a condition called neutropenia, even minor infections that a healthy immune system would handle easily can become dangerous.

According to the National Cancer Institute, infections remain a leading cause of complications for patients with blood cancers. An absolute neutrophil count (ANC) below 500 cells per microliter is considered severe neutropenia, and at this level the risk of serious bacterial and fungal infections rises sharply. Your oncology team monitors your blood counts closely through regular lab work — if you are not yet familiar with what those numbers mean, our guide to <a href="/blog/understanding-blood-counts-during-cancer-treatment">understanding your blood counts</a> walks through the basics.

Recognizing the Warning Signs of Infection

When your immune system is compromised, infections can escalate quickly. Knowing the warning signs and acting fast is critical. The most important signal is fever — a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher sustained for more than one hour, or a single reading of 101°F or higher, should prompt an immediate call to your care team. Febrile neutropenia, the combination of fever and a low neutrophil count, is a medical situation that requires urgent evaluation.

It is important to note that when your white blood cell count is very low, you may not show the typical signs of infection. For example, you might not develop pus at a wound site or see the usual swelling because your body lacks enough immune cells to create those responses. This is why fever is such a critical indicator — it may be the only early warning sign.

Everyday Steps to Prevent Infections During Treatment

While you cannot eliminate all infection risk during treatment, there are many practical steps you can take to significantly reduce your exposure. These habits may feel like a lot at first, but most patients find they become second nature within a few weeks.

Hand Hygiene

Thorough handwashing is the single most effective way to prevent infections. Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before eating, after using the restroom, after touching surfaces in public places, and after contact with pets. Carry alcohol-based hand sanitizer for situations when soap and water are not available. Ask family members, visitors, and caregivers to wash their hands before close contact with you as well.

Food Safety

• Avoid raw or undercooked meat, fish, seafood, and eggs — cook all foods to safe temperatures
• Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating, even those with peels you do not eat
• Avoid unpasteurized dairy products, juices, and soft cheeses
• Skip salad bars, buffets, and deli counters where food may sit at unsafe temperatures
• Pay attention to expiration dates and discard any food that looks or smells questionable

Social Precautions

Avoiding exposure to illness in your community is an important layer of protection. Stay away from people who are visibly sick with colds, flu, or stomach bugs. Avoid large crowds, especially in enclosed spaces, during periods when your counts are lowest — your care team can tell you when your nadir, the point of lowest blood counts after a treatment cycle, is expected. If someone in your household is ill, try to limit close contact and have them wear a mask around you if possible.

Home and Personal Care

• Shower or bathe daily to keep skin clean and reduce bacteria — use gentle, fragrance-free products to protect sensitive skin
• Brush your teeth gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush after meals and before bed, and check your mouth daily for sores or white patches
• Avoid gardening or handling soil without gloves — soil harbors bacteria and fungi that can pose risks to immunocompromised patients
• Keep your living space clean, especially kitchen and bathroom surfaces
• If you have a central line or port, follow your care team's instructions for keeping the site clean and dry
• Use an electric razor instead of a blade to avoid nicks and cuts that can become entry points for infection

Pets and Animals

You do not need to rehome your pets during treatment, but a few precautions help reduce risk. Wash your hands after handling animals, and ask someone else to clean litter boxes, birdcages, and fish tanks. Avoid contact with animal waste, and keep up with your pet's veterinary care to ensure they stay healthy. Avoid contact with reptiles, amphibians, and baby chicks, which can carry salmonella.

Working With Your Care Team

Your oncology team is your best resource for understanding your individual infection risk. Depending on your treatment plan and blood counts, your doctor may recommend preventive measures such as prophylactic antibiotics or antifungal medications during high-risk periods. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) injections may also be prescribed to help stimulate white blood cell production after certain chemotherapy cycles.

Ask your care team these questions to help you prepare: When will my blood counts be at their lowest after each treatment cycle? Are there specific activities I should avoid? Should I receive any vaccinations, and are there vaccines I should avoid? What is the fastest way to reach the on-call team if I develop a fever after hours? Having a clear plan makes it easier to act quickly if a problem arises. For more questions to discuss with your doctor, see our guide on <a href="/blog/questions-to-ask-your-oncologist-blood-cancer-guide">questions to ask your oncologist</a>.

You Have More Control Than You Think

Dealing with infection risk on top of everything else that comes with blood cancer treatment can feel overwhelming. But the truth is that the simple, consistent habits outlined above genuinely reduce the chances of infection and help keep your treatment on track. You are not powerless in this — every hand you wash, every food you cook thoroughly, and every crowd you skip is a small act of protection that adds up.

At the Live Like Brent Foundation, we know that the non-medical challenges of treatment — getting to urgent appointments, managing household expenses during extended hospital stays, and keeping daily life stable — can be just as demanding as the medical ones. Our <a href="/how-we-help/comfort-funds">Comfort Fund program</a> helps blood cancer patients and their families overcome these practical barriers, with approved expenses paid on behalf of patients to verified vendors for needs like transportation, utilities, food support, and housing stability.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Infection risk, prevention strategies, and treatment protocols vary based on individual health conditions, treatment plans, and other factors. Always consult your oncologist or hematologist for guidance specific to your care.