← Back
Psychology, family and everyday life

Visitors: joy and safety

Visitors lift the patient's mood but can also bring infection. This section explains how to make visits both pleasant and safe.

Last updated: ~1 min read
A visitor sitting beside a patient in a hospital bed
Figure 1.Visits bring joy

01Short answer

Rules: one or two people at a time; short visits; keep to the unit's hours. Who should not come: anyone with a temperature, cough, runny nose, diarrhoea, vomiting or rash, and anyone recently in contact with chickenpox, measles, flu or other infectious illnesses. Ask the team about children who have had live vaccines. Clean hands on entering, and wear a mask if the team asks. Ask before bringing flowers or food (“The ward: a safe and comfortable space”, “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”). If the patient is tired, the visit can wait; a video call is a visit too.

02Simple explanation

1–2 people, briefly.

Ill? Stay away.

Clean hands at the door.

A video call is a visit.

03Scientific explanation

NCI: during neutropenia, avoiding contact with people who are ill reduces infection risk.

NCI: chemotherapy can lower neutrophils, platelets and red cells, which raises the risk of infection, bleeding and fatigue.

04What happens in the body?

Vaccines

Visitors' flu and other vaccines help protect the patient.

Children

Child visitors catch infections more often; make sure they are well.

Neutrophils

The first defence against infection; when they are low, hygiene matters most.

Platelets

Help blood clot; when they are low, protect yourself from injury.

05Daily protection: four steps

Wash, protect, check, report.

Wash — Hands and personal hygiene.1WashHands and personal hygiene.
Protect — Against injury and infection.2ProtectAgainst injury and infection.
Check — Temperature and skin.3CheckTemperature and skin.
Report — Tell your team about changes.4ReportTell your team about changes.
HygieneClean hands.
TemperatureThe 38 °C threshold.
ProtectionYour team's rules.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
VaccinesVisitors' flu and other vaccines help protect the patient.
ChildrenChild visitors catch infections more often; make sure they are well.
NeutrophilsThe first defence against infection; when they are low, hygiene matters most.
PlateletsHelp blood clot; when they are low, protect yourself from injury.

07Key terms

Neutropenia
A low neutrophil count.
Incubation period
The time from infection to symptoms.
ANC
Absolute neutrophil count.
Thrombocytopenia
A low platelet count.

08Key points

  • Few and brief.
  • No ill visitors.
  • Clean hands.
  • Wash your hands.
  • 38 °C: call.

09Frequently asked questions

I have a slight cough; can I come?

No; call until you are better.

Can a small child visit?

It depends on the unit's rules; ask.

What should I watch every day?

Temperature, bleeding, tiredness and the catheter site; tell your team about any change.

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. I have a slight cough; can I come?

  2. Can a small child visit?

  3. What should I watch every day?

My questions

12Sources

  1. National Cancer Institute. Infection and Neutropenia during Cancer Treatment
  2. National Cancer Institute. Bleeding and Bruising (Thrombocytopenia) and Cancer Treatment
  3. National Cancer Institute. Anemia and Cancer Treatment
  4. World Health Organization. World Hand Hygiene Day
  5. National Cancer Institute. Sexual Health Issues in Women and Cancer Treatment
  6. National Cancer Institute. Sexual Health Issues in Men and Cancer Treatment
  7. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Spirituality in Cancer Care (PDQ®) – Patient Version
  8. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Cancer-Related Post-traumatic Stress (PDQ®) – Patient Version
  9. American Cancer Society. Adjusting to Life With Cancer
  10. American Cancer Society. Mental Health and Distress
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
Last updated: ← Back to the list

Open the interactive site →