Services

Mercy Cancer Center

Low white blood cell count - Neutropenia

What is it?

  • White blood cells help you fight infections by destroying germs in your body. When your white blood cells are low from chemotherapy or radiation therapy, you may be more susceptible to an illness. This lowering of white blood cells is called neutropenia.
  • Your nurse will talk with you about the predicted time your counts will be low. This low count time is called nadir.
  • Your white blood cell count will be carefully checked during your treatments. If your white blood cell count is too low, your doctor may postpone your treatment or give you a lower dose of chemotherapy.

What can you do?

To decrease the chance of infection:
  • Wash your hands often, especially after using the bathroom and before eating.
  • Avoid large crowds or people who have colds, flu or chicken pox during the time your white blood cell count is low.
  • Brush your teeth and rinse your mouth after meals and at bedtime.
  • Do not get any immunization shots without checking with your doctor first.
  • Keep your bowels regular with diet and stool softeners as prescribed.
  • Get plenty of rest.
Take your temperature if you should feel feverish or have any of the following:
  • Severe cough or sore throat.
  • Shaking chills.
  • Sweating, especially at night.
  • Diarrhea lasting more than 2 days.
  • Painful or burning urination.
  • Any area on your body which is red, painful, or warm to touch.
  • A wound or incision that has pus-like drainage.

When to call us - Phone Number and Hours

If your temperature is 101 or higher, notify your doctor right away, any time day or night!! DO NOT wait until the following morning to see if you are feeling better or if your temperature goes down. Do not take Tylenol unless instructed by your doctor.

Notify your doctor or nurse if you have any of the following:

  • Severe cough or sore throat
  • Shaking chills
  • Sweating, especially at night.
  • Diarrhea, lasting more than 2 days.
  • Painful or burning urination.
  • Any area of your body which is red, painful, or warm to touch.