What If You Get a Cold During Chemo?

People who are receiving chemotherapy are more likely to get sick with colds and influenza (the flu) because the treatments weaken the immune system. In serious cases, even a simple cold could be life-threatening for a cancer patient. This is why it's important to work with your healthcare provider to manage and prevent these illnesses.

You can help prevent colds and other illnesses during chemotherapy by washing your hands frequently, avoiding crowded places, getting plenty of rest, eating nutritious foods, and getting vaccinated against common illnesses like the flu and COVID-19. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking any medications to treat your cold or flu symptoms.

This article will discuss how to deal with a cold, the flu, or another infection while undergoing chemotherapy treatments.

How Does Chemotherapy Increase the Risk of Colds and Flu?

Chemotherapy weakens the immune system, making people who are undergoing treatment more susceptible to colds, the flu, or other infections.

Normally, the cells in your body grow and die in a controlled way. Cancer cells keep growing without stopping. Chemotherapy works by killing the cancer cells, stopping them from spreading, or slowing their growth.

However, chemo cannot differentiate cancer cells from healthy cells, which means that it can also harm healthy cells. When this happens, people experience certain side effects.

Chemo can damage the bone marrow, which reduces its ability to produce white blood cells. Your body needs white blood cells to help fight off infections. Neutropenia, a low level of a type of white blood cells called neutrophils, can occur in people getting chemotherapy.

When the body does not have enough white blood cells, it is more vulnerable to viruses and other pathogens.

An infection can lead to more severe symptoms and worse outcomes, which is why it's important to let your healthcare provider know right away if you start to feel sick.

If you develop a cold or the flu during chemotherapy, your treatment might be delayed while your healthcare providers focus on treating the infection. Patient safety is important during chemotherapy, and healthcare providers do not want to risk making the infection worse by continuing a treatment that further weakens your immune system.

Colds and Chemotherapy

When you are receiving chemotherapy, it's important to be on the lookout for symptoms of an infection—even a simple cold.

Some of the most common signs and symptoms of a cold include:

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Congestion
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Sneezing
• Itchy or watery eyes
• Fever (rare in adults; more common in children)
  

The Flu and Chemotherapy

You might also be more likely to catch the flu when you are receiving chemo. The signs and symptoms of the flu can include:

• Fever
• Exhaustion
• Headaches
• Congestion
• Coughing
• Aches and pains
• Chills
• Vomiting and diarrhea (though these symptoms are not common)

You may have some of these symptoms if you have a cold, but there are some differences between cold and flu symptoms that you should be aware of.

The Flu vs. COVID-19

You are also at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 if you are undergoing chemo. It's important to know the signs and symptoms of COVID, as well as how it is different from other respiratory infections.

The flu and COVID-19 are both caused by viruses, but not the same one. The flu is caused by the influenza viruses, and COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Both infections can cause a fever, body aches, and cough. COVID-19 can also cause loss of sense of smell and taste.

Treatment

Treating a cold, the flu, or another infection is different for people receiving chemo because they cannot take certain medications.

Many people first reach for cold and flu remedies at their local pharmacies to soothe a cold, but if you're having chemo, talk to your healthcare provider before taking any over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

If you have a bacterial infection, your healthcare provider might prescribe an antibiotic. If the infection is caused by a virus or a fungus, your healthcare provider might give you an antiviral or antifungal medication.

Treatment will typically last between seven and 14 days. If you do not respond to treatment within three to five days, your healthcare provider might give you more medication or a different medication.

Preventing Colds, Flu, and Infections

If you are undergoing cancer treatments, there are steps you can take to prevent colds, the flu, and other infections.

Practice Good Hygiene

Practicing good hygiene is important for anyone, but it's especially crucial for those undergoing chemotherapy. To ensure that you are keeping yourself protected from infections:

• Wash your hands frequently (or cleanse them with a hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available).
• Bathe or shower every day.
• Keep a close eye on any injury sites or cuts on the body.
• Wash any cut (even a small one) right away, and keep it covered with a bandage for the first few days to keep it clean.
• Avoid emptying litter boxes, cleaning pet cages, or grooming your pet.
• Avoid swimming in ponds, lakes, or rivers.

Diet

It is common for people receiving chemotherapy to experience changes in appetite. Being full faster, feeling nauseated, and experiencing a change in the way food tastes all affect how you eat.

However, to keep your general health as good as it can be while you are undergoing chemo, make sure you're getting as many nutrients and vitamins as possible from your diet. Choose immune-boosting foods such as:

• Probiotic foods like yogurt and kefir
• Prebiotic foods like garlic, onions, asparagus, and bananas
• Foods rich in vitamin D, including milk, yogurt, and fortified cereals
  

Activity and Rest

Take care of your general health by getting plenty of rest and exercising regularly if possible. Studies have shown that regular exercise can strengthen the immune system in cancer patients.

Research has shown that sleep disturbances are common among people getting chemotherapy. You can get better sleep by practicing calming and relaxing exercises (such as yoga) and avoiding naps during the day even if you feel tired.

You should avoid anyone you think may have a cold, the flu, or another type of infection as well as large indoor crowds.

Get Vaccinated

During chemotherapy, your healthcare provider may recommend that you get vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19. Some studies have found that vaccination can help the body build up protection and help you avoid the illness while you are in treatment.

Summary

Getting an infection, even a simple cold, while you are undergoing chemotherapy can be life-threatening. The best way to protect yourself is by taking preventive measures, such as washing your hands often, eating a nutritious diet, exercising if you can, and getting plenty of rest.

If you notice any signs of an infection while you are undergoing chemotherapy, call your healthcare provider right away.