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Guide for patients and loved ones

Emergency warning signs

During treatment, some signs need help without waiting. Knowing them in advance protects life.

Last updated: ~1 min read
A thermometer
Figure 1.A thermometer — Emergency warning signs

01Short answer

Call your team at once, and an ambulance if needed, for: a fever (around 38 °C or higher) or chills; breathlessness or chest pain; bleeding that will not stop, vomiting blood, black stools or blood in the urine; a sudden severe headache, problems with sight or speech, weakness in a limb, confusion or a seizure; fainting, a very fast heartbeat or cold skin; being unable to drink, or vomiting or diarrhoea that will not stop; redness, swelling or discharge around a central line; sudden swelling of a leg or arm. Do not take a fever-reducing medicine before calling, as it can hide a fever.

02Simple explanation

Fever means call now.

If in doubt, do not wait.

03Scientific explanation

In neutropenic patients, fever is the first and sometimes only sign of infection; early antibiotics are vital.

Sepsis is the body’s overwhelming reaction to infection; recognising it early improves the outcome.

04What happens in the body?

Infection

Fever, chills, weakness, and redness or discharge at the central line.

Bleeding and clots

Bleeding that will not stop, black stools, blood in the urine, a suddenly swollen painful leg, breathlessness.

A lighthouse in a storm
Figure 2.A lighthouse in a storm

Nervous system

Sudden severe headache, confusion, speech problems, weakness or a seizure.

Amber and red light
Figure 3.Amber and red light — Emergency warning signs

05The emergency steps

Four steps.

Notice — Recognise the sign.1NoticeRecognise the sign.
Measure — Temperature.2MeasureTemperature.
Call — Your team.3CallYour team.
Go — To hospital if needed.4GoTo hospital if needed.
Early treatmentComplications are prevented.
SafetyNo time is lost.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
InfectionFever, chills, weakness, and redness or discharge at the central line.
Bleeding and clotsBleeding that will not stop, black stools, blood in the urine, a suddenly swollen painful leg, breathlessness.
Nervous systemSudden severe headache, confusion, speech problems, weakness or a seizure.

07Key terms

Febrile neutropenia
Fever with low neutrophils.
Sepsis
A dangerous whole-body reaction to infection.
Melaena
Black, tarry stools.

08Key points

  • With a fever, call at once.
  • Do not wait with bleeding.
  • Confusion is urgent.
  • Call before taking fever medicine.

09Frequently asked questions

It is midnight. Should I wait until morning?

No, call the emergency number now.

What if it is a false alarm?

The team understands; it is better to be safe.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. It is midnight. Should I wait until morning?

  2. What if it is a false alarm?

My questions

12Sources

  1. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Infection and Neutropenia during Cancer Treatment
  2. NHS. Sepsis
  3. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Bleeding and Bruising (Thrombocytopenia) and Cancer Treatment
  4. World Health Organization (WHO). Sepsis — fact sheet
  5. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Managing Your Care
  6. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Questions to Ask about Cancer Treatment
  7. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Female Fertility and Cancer Treatment
  8. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Male Fertility and Cancer Treatment
  9. National Cancer Institute. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: remission
  10. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Follow-Up Medical Care
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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