SACT side effects: An increased risk of infection (neutropenia and neutropenic sepsis)

Neutropenic is the medical term given for when the neutrophil count is low. Being neutropenic means having a high risk of developing an infection and sepsis.

Developing an infection while having treatment can be life-threatening.

Sepsis is when the body reacts to an infection by attacking its tissues and organs.

To help prevent yourself from getting an infection:

• Brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush at least twice a day and preferably after every meal and at bedtime
• Avoid people who are unwell with coughs, colds, sore throats, chicken pox, shingles, diarrhoea or a fever
• Wash your hands before and after eating or handling food, after using the toilet and after contact with animals
• Wear gloves for gardening and any other activities where you may cut yourself
• Avoid people who have recently had live vaccines such as MMR and DPT
• Practice good and regular hand washing
• Avoid public swimming pools and spas
• Wear gloves to handle animal waste
• Practice strict food hygiene

Food hygiene advice:

• Wash your hands before and after handling food
• Do not leave raw meats at room temperature. Raw meats must be kept in the fridge until thawed
• Store food at the correct temperatures
• Thoroughly cook your foods, especially meat and eggs
• Wash fruit and vegetables
• Use separate chopping boards for meat, fish and vegetables
• Avoid eating left-overs or re-heating foods
• Do not eat food past the use-by date

You can help yourself before treatment by:

• Having a dental check
• Buying a thermometer to monitor your temperature
• Getting the flu jab
• Informing those close to you about your risk of developing an infection and sepsis

More about neutropenia, infections, and sepsis at NHS UK, Sepsis Trust, Macmillan, Cancer Research and Blood Cancer UK