Take Precautions Against Swine Flu

Everybody should be using some basic precautions to avoid catching swine flu - but if you're in treatment for breast cancer, you may want to be extra careful. Chemotherapy treatments can lower your immune system and cause you to be neutropenic. When that happens, your defense against any germs are not sufficient to protect you nor to help you recover in a timely way. In this case, your best defense is to avoid situations where germs are likely to be plentiful. When your blood counts return to normal, just use common sense to keep away from germs. Here's some ways to take precautions:

• Stay home whenever possible. Ask your support team to get groceries, walk your dog, bring work home from the office, or whatever else you can delegate.
• If you develop a fever of 100.5F or higher, call your doctor right away (day or night) and start drinking plenty of fluids. Stay well hydrated and get a diagnosis and treatment for whatever is causing your fever.
• If you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue and then toss it out. No tissues handy? Turn your face into the crook of your elbow, to keep germs from flying away.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol sanitizer - this will kill most germs.
• Avoid people who have a fever, cough, or sneezing, or complain of any flu-like symptoms
• If you feel like you are developing flu symptoms, don't wait to see if it will just go away. Call your doctor or nurse practitioner and ask for advice or an appointment.

Radiation treatments for breast cancer can cause you to have swallowing problems, cough, or shortness of breath. This is because radiation may affect your esophagus, throat, or lungs. Let your doctor know, if you're having these problems. This kind of cough is not a flu symptom, but if you are concerned about your cough or any other symptoms, such as fatigue, pain, or skin changes, you should ask your doctor for help.