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Psychology, family and everyday life

Contact with children: keeping close safely

Children bring love and strength, but they often carry colds, stomach bugs and childhood illnesses. With simple rules, closeness can continue.

Last updated: ~1 min read
A young boy reading a book with his grandmother
Figure 1.Staying close to children, safely

01Short answer

Ask children to wash their hands before coming close. If a child is ill (runny nose, cough, fever, diarrhoea or rash), avoid close contact for a few days; if there has been chickenpox, measles or similar at nursery or school, tell your team at once. Ask your team about the children's vaccines: most vaccines help protect the family, but after some live vaccines special precautions may be needed. If possible, let someone else change nappies; if you do it, wear gloves and wash your hands. Explain things in words the child understands; reading or watching a film together is safe closeness.

02Simple explanation

Wash hands first.

Ill child: keep apart.

Chickenpox: tell us at once.

Vaccines: ask your team.

03Scientific explanation

NCI: during neutropenia, avoid contact with sick children and people recently exposed to infection.

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

04What happens in the body?

Chickenpox

Can be dangerous for people with weak immunity.

Family vaccination

Vaccinated people around you protect you.

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
ChickenpoxCan be dangerous for people with weak immunity.
Family vaccinationVaccinated people around you protect you.
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

Live vaccine
A vaccine made from a weakened live germ.
Exposure
Contact with someone who is infectious.
ANC
Absolute neutrophil count.
Thrombocytopenia
A low platelet count.

08Key points

  • Wash.
  • Keep apart.
  • Ask.
  • Wash your hands.
  • 38 °C: call.

09Frequently asked questions

Can I hug my grandchild?

If they are well and have washed their hands, often yes, within your team's rules.

How do I explain it to my child?

Simply, honestly and calmly; NCI's family resources can help.

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. Can I hug my grandchild?

  2. How do I explain it to my child?

  3. What should I watch every day?

My questions

12Sources

  1. National Cancer Institute. Caregivers of Cancer Patients
  2. National Cancer Institute. Infection and Neutropenia during Cancer Treatment
  3. National Cancer Institute. Bleeding and Bruising (Thrombocytopenia) and Cancer Treatment
  4. National Cancer Institute. Anemia and Cancer Treatment
  5. World Health Organization. World Hand Hygiene Day
  6. MedlinePlus. Bleeding into the skin
  7. MedlinePlus. Blood transfusions
  8. MedlinePlus. Hemolytic transfusion reaction
  9. NHS. Loneliness
  10. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Stem Cell Transplants in Cancer Treatment
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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