Ask your nurse about how to check your child’s temperature and what to do if they feel unwell or have a high temperature. Your nurse will give you a number to call and tell you when you need to contact them.
Children's risk of infection
Some cancer treatments and some types of cancer can leave children more at risk of infection. They will need to take extra care to avoid infection.
What increases the risk of infection?
Some cancer treatments and some types of cancer can leave children more at risk of infection. Even minor infections, such as a cold or sore throat, could make them ill.
- Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy can lower the number of neutrophil white blood cells. These cells are very important for fighting infection. If the number of neutrophils is reduced, it can affect your child’s ability to fight infection.
- Cancer that affects the blood or bone marrow can reduce the number of white blood cells they produce.
What are the signs of infection?
- A sore throat or cough
- Stinging or burning when they pee
- Redness or swelling at the site of their central line
- A temperature above around 38°C (100.4°F) or below 35°C (95°F)
- Feeling shivery or unwell, even if their temperature is normal
Paracetamol and ibuprofen
You will probably be advised not to give your child any medicines containing paracetamol or ibuprofen while they are at risk of infection. These drugs may hide a rise in their body temperature, which is an important early sign of infection. Always follow your medical team’s advice.
What should I do if my child has symptoms?
How is it treated?
If your child has high temperature or feels unwell, they will have a blood test to see if their white blood cells are low. They may need antibiotics or other medication in hospital to treat the infection.
If your child gets an infection and is neutropenic (low neutrophil count), they will have antibiotics given to them directly into a vein to bring the infection under control quickly.
Drugs called growth factors can help bone marrow to make more white blood cells quickly, to prevent infection. These are given by injection under the skin (subcutaneously). A common drug used to boost white cells is called G-CSF.
Contact the hospital
- If your child’s temperature is 38.5 degrees Celsius.
- If your child’s temperature is between 38 degrees Celsius and 38.4 degrees Celsius on two separate occasions in 24 hours.
- If your child feels shivery or unwell.
Tips to avoid infection
Avoid large crowds and busy times if you’re taking your child out. This can be hard when trying to keep life as normal as possible, but it’s important not to isolate your child.
Make sure your child and the people around them wash their hands regularly, especially before they eat and after going to the toilet.
Tell the school about the risk that infections such as chickenpox and measles pose to your child as they are receiving chemotherapy. The principal will let other parents know the importance of letting the school know if their child is in exposed to or develops these kinds of illnesses.
Wash fruit and salad, don’t eat food that has been left out of the fridge more than 90 minutes or is past its use-by date.
For CAYA patients and their siblings from 0-24yrs, to support the psychosocial needs of a young person. This service is available nationwide, at home or as locally as possible.
The Irish Cancer Society funds a haven on St John’s Ward in Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin, which provides massage, reflexology, mindfulness and meditation to children.
Trained volunteers offering emotional and practical support to anyone whose child is going through or finished their treatment.
Talk to a Cancer Nurse
Support Line
Our Cancer Nurses offer confidential advice, support and information for anyone affected by cancer. Call or email supportline@irishcancer.ie. Video calls available. Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm
In-hospital support
The Irish Cancer Society's Children’s Cancer Nurse at Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin Hospital one day per week provides free, confidential advice, support and information to anyone affected by a child’s cancer.
