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Showering with a fever: call first, then wash

During neutropenia, a fever is an emergency. Trying to bring it down with a shower or cold water wastes time and can hide what is happening. Call your team first.

Last updated: ~1 min read
A man checking his temperature while talking on the phone
Figure 1.With a fever, call first

01Short answer

If your temperature is 38 °C or higher, or you have chills, call your team first and follow their instructions; you often need to be seen straight away. Do not take a cold shower or sponge with ice water or alcohol, as this makes shivering worse. If you are sweaty and your team agrees, wash briefly with warm water or wipe down with a damp cloth while sitting. If you feel weak or dizzy, do not wash alone. Then put on dry, light cotton clothes and drink water. Take and record your temperature at the times your team gives.

02Simple explanation

Call first.

Cold water: no.

Warm, sitting down.

Alone: no.

03Scientific explanation

NCI: a fever during neutropenia needs urgent care; call your team straight away.

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

04What happens in the body?

Febrile neutropenia

A fever may be the only sign of a serious infection.

Shivering

Cold water makes shivering and discomfort worse.

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
Febrile neutropeniaA fever may be the only sign of a serious infection.
ShiveringCold water makes shivering and discomfort worse.
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

Fever
A raised body temperature.
Chills
Involuntary shaking as the temperature rises.
ANC
Absolute neutrophil count.
Thrombocytopenia
A low platelet count.

08Key points

  • Call.
  • Wash warm.
  • Record.
  • Wash your hands.
  • 38 °C: call.

09Frequently asked questions

Should I take a fever reducer?

Only if your team says so.

I woke up sweaty at night.

Change your clothes, take your temperature and tell your team.

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. Should I take a fever reducer?

  2. I woke up sweaty at night.

  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. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2023. Management of Anxiety and Depression in Adult Survivors of Cancer: ASCO Guideline Update
  6. ESMO Open, 2023. Anxiety and depression in adult cancer patients: ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline
  7. Psycho-Oncology, 2019. Mindfulness-based interventions for psychological and physical health outcomes in cancer patients and survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
  8. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 2013. Fear of cancer recurrence in adult cancer survivors: a systematic review of quantitative studies
  9. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Support for Families: Childhood Cancer
  10. American Cancer Society. Helping Children When a Family Member Has Cancer
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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