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Cold and heat: keeping your temperature balanced

During treatment people often feel chilly or hot because of anemia, medicines or fever. The key rule: chills can be the start of a fever, so measure your temperature first.

Last updated: ~1 min read
A woman wrapped in a blanket on a couch holding a cup of tea
Figure 1.Layers and a blanket help when you feel cold

01Short answer

When cold: layers, warm socks, a hat and a light extra blanket. With neuropathy, avoid heaters, hot water bottles and electric blankets because of the burn risk. Shivering or a temperature of 38 °C or higher means calling your team at once; do not take a fever-reducing medicine on your own. In the heat: light cotton clothing, shade, avoiding the midday sun, enough fluids (unless your team has limited them) and a cool shower. For room temperature see “Temperature and humidity: not too dry, not too damp”. Protecting against cold in winter and overheating in summer both matter.

02Simple explanation

Chills? Measure first.

Layers.

Neuropathy: no heaters.

Heat: fluids and shade.

03Scientific explanation

NCI: during neutropenia a fever may be the only sign of a serious infection and needs urgent assessment.

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

04What happens in the body?

Fever reducers

Paracetamol can hide a fever; call your team first.

Anemia

Anemia makes you feel the cold more.

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
Fever reducersParacetamol can hide a fever; call your team first.
AnemiaAnemia makes you feel the cold more.
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

Febrile neutropenia
Fever with neutropenia; an emergency.
Overheating
The body getting too hot.
ANC
Absolute neutrophil count.
Thrombocytopenia
A low platelet count.

08Key points

  • Measure.
  • Layers.
  • 38 °C: call.
  • Wash your hands.
  • 38 °C: call.

09Frequently asked questions

I feel cold but have no fever.

Add a layer and measure again in an hour.

Is air conditioning all right?

Yes, with a clean filter and no direct draught (“Air in the room: clean, smoke-free, mould-free”).

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 feel cold but have no fever.

  2. Is air conditioning all right?

  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. MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Using an incentive spirometer
  6. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. How To Use Your Incentive Spirometer
  7. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Relaxation Techniques: What You Need To Know
  8. World Health Organization. Mental health: strengthening our response
  9. National Cancer Institute. Self-Image and Sexuality
  10. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Mold Course Chapter 2: Why and Where Mold Grows
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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