Cancer Patient Journey: Preventing Infections | Cincinnati Children's скачать в хорошем качестве

Cancer Patient Journey: Preventing Infections | Cincinnati Children's

http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org Keeping your body strong is essential to your journey toward recovery. Unfortunately, your body’s immune system can become weakened if you’re being treated for cancer, have undergone a bone marrow transplant, or if you have an immunodeficiency diagnosis. A weakened immune system means your body is immunocompromised and is at a higher risk of infection. An infection occurs when a microscopic bacterial, viral, or fungal organism — called a germ — enters your body and multiplies, causing your body to become weak and putting you at a higher risk of becoming sick. Despite your best efforts to reduce this risk, your body may still become infected. One common sign of an infection is a fever that is 100.4° F (38° C) or higher. Patients who have a fever need immediate care. That’s why it’s very important to contact your Care Team at the first sign of a fever. If you have a port, apply EMLA cream right after you call so the area around it has time to numb before treatment begins. Treating infections quickly will reduce your risk for greater complications, so we encourage you to arrive at the clinic or emergency room as soon as possible. (there will be a visual reference to a clock & the urgency of “within 60 minutes” from the time a fever is first identified to arrival at clinic/ER). If you are admitted to the hospital, we will work hard to help your body defend itself against future infections and get you back home as soon as possible. Before we’re certain that you’re healthy enough for discharge, there are a few important steps we’ll need to complete. We will test your blood and give you an antibiotic — a medicine that helps stop a potential bacterial infection (this will be visually depicted as occurring through a central line or IV). Your blood test results will need to show no signs of an infection for 2 to 3 days in a row. We will also need to make sure you are fever free, feeling well, and your blood counts are rising so that your body is strong enough to fight off potential infection in the future before you can go home. When you return home, it’s important to keep up the battle against potential infections. Take your medicine as directed to help reduce your risk for future infections. Proper nutrition, as determined by your dietitian, along with consistent physical activity, and 7 to 8 hours of sleep daily, will help keep your body strong so it can defend itself against infection. Washing your hands often, performing oral care three times a day, and bathing once a day, will help eliminate the germs that can build up and enter your body through your mouth and skin. Avoid crowded places, where there is a greater chance of being exposed to harmful germs. Making all of these things apart of your daily routine will really help prevent infections. At Cincinnati Children’s were dedicated to helping you win the fight against infection. If you have any questions about infection prevention, or symptoms of a potential infection, please don’t hesitate to ask a member of your care team.