Neutropenic sepsis remains an important cause of concern for our patients as it is the most life-threatening complication of chemotherapy. It may even be fatal if treatment is delayed. When sepsis is diagnosed, prompt treatment must follow immediately. Sepsis can come on quite rapidly but is usually worst 7-14 days after chemotherapy. 

What are the common symptoms of infection:

• feeling hot then cold and clammy
• shivering and shaking attacks
• raised temperature

It is very important to contact the hospital if you get a raised temperature. A normal temperature is between 36° and 37.2° C. If you feel unwell between chemotherapy treatments, check your temperature. If it is around 38° C check it again in 1 hour and contact the hospital if it is still raised. If it is 38.5° C or above, ring the hospital straight away.

Remember steroid (Prednisolone or Dexamethasone), Paracetamol or Aspirin tablets can make your temperature read normal even if you have an infection. Call the hospital if you feel unwell and are on these drugs. Do not take them if you feel unwell, as they can disguise a temperature.

If patients contact another health professional the same advice should be followed. If a patient is admitted to another hospital further advice can be obtained by ringing D9 ward 01223 216373 or the registrar on call at Addenbrooke’s for the antibiotic policy via switch board 01223 245 151.

How is sepsis treated?
The most important intervention in sepsis is quick diagnosis and prompt treatment. Patients diagnosed with severe sepsis are usually placed in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the hospital for special treatment. The doctor will first try to identify the source and the type of infection, and then administer antibiotics to treat the infection.

Further general information Your doctors and specialist nurses are in an ideal position to give you relevant information on your disease and treatment as they know your individual circumstances. Cancerbackup has a help line (0808 800 1234) and a prize winning video available in English, Italian, Urdu, Bengali, Gujarati & Hindi explaining Radiotherapy & Chemotherapy. Cancernet.co.uk has over 500 pages describing cancer, its management, practical tips and tool which patients, their carers and their doctors have found helpful during the cancer journey.