Managing Fever in Childhood Cancer

1. Managing Fever in Childhood Cancer The increasing incidence of childhood cancer is alarming. In most cancer patients who are aged below 18 years, fever and other signs of infection are quite common. Leukemia, being the most- diagnosed cancer in children, is related to fever. In other words, the first sign of leukemia is considered to be fever and chills. A number of studies link cancer and fever. This can be due to the effects posed by cancer medicines and the tumor on your body. Childhood cancers often show signs of infection in the early stages. These may include:  Fever with chills  Constant headaches  Changes in the eye or vision  Cough  Fast breathing  Runny nose  Ear pain  Stiffness in the neck  Change in bowel habits  Swelling in the bones joints muscles  Pain in the legs  Nausea and vomiting  Yellowing of the skin Fever caused by Cancer Treatment

2. Fever can be a consequence of taking chemotherapy medicines. Since a number of drugs given during cancer treatment can result in a reduced white blood cell count, the body can become vulnerable to infections. Thus, fever can be caused by cancer treatment. In general, the type of cancer treatment recommended to the patients depends upon various factors. These include the kind and stage of cancer, environmental factors, location, genetic mutations, etc. For example, Cancer treatment Singapore differs from that of other countries in the same region. This is because the nature of cancer is different even in terms of race (though there is no clear evidence). How to manage the symptoms?  Even if your child faces mild symptoms of infection, be sure to contact your medical practitioner right away.  Take your child’s temperature and call your GP. Ask if it’s normal or not.  If your child is shivering and experiencing severe chills, contact your nearest healthcare professional without any delay.  Check your child’s medication schedule and see if such symptoms come consistently after taking the same medicines. In such cases, dose adjustments or modifications might be needed. How to avoid the symptoms?  It is important to be very hygienic and maintain cleanliness in the surroundings.  When your child has cancer, you must keep him/her out of reach of unhygienic things and places. This is because a low immunity is more prone to catching infections easily.  Ask your child to wear an appropriate mask in public.  Keep your child away from people who are sick or have any chronic infection.  Practice good oral hygiene by following the routine fixed by your doctor. This can help you avoid sores and other mouth-related problems. Do not ignore any severe symptoms of infections because of something you’ve read here. Consult your doctor immediately. Source: http://writeus.me/managing-fever-in-childhood-cancer/