What can I do to prevent infection?

• Avoid people with colds or other infections.
• Stay away from anyone who has recently been vaccinated with live virus vaccines, including infants and children who have received the oral polio vaccine.
• Avoid places where there are lots of people. Attend church, shopping malls, public transportation, etc. during less busy hours.
• You and family members should wash your hands often, especially before food preparation and after using the bathroom.
• If you are on chemotherapy, members of your household should get the influenza vaccination so they don't bring it home to you.
• If you are not on chemotherapy, you should get an annual influenza vaccination, and a pneumonia vaccination called "Pneumovax" every 5-10 years.
• If you are on chemotherapy, you should avoid food from "fast food" restaurants that contain fresh fruit or vegetables.

Mouth

• Brush your teeth after every meal and at bedtime. Replace your toothbrush often. Toothbrushes should have soft bristles to avoid injury to the gums.
• If your mouth is sore, rinse well with water or a dilute salt water solution. Do not use alcohol-containing mouthwash that could burn and dry your mouth.
• Avoid acidic foods like citrus juices. Use spice and salt in moderation and avoid tobacco and alcohol.
• Check with your doctor or nurse before having dental work.

Skin

• Wear shoes or slippers when walking.
• Wear gloves when working in the garden or washing dishes.
• Use an electric razor when shaving.
• Wash hands after each visit to the bathroom.
• Use lotion or oil to soften dry skin.
• Clean any scrape or cut right away with warm water and soap.
• After every bowel movement, clean your rectal area gently but thoroughly.

Lungs
Call your doctor for any possible signs of lung infection

• Shortness of breath
• Coughing up phlegm
• Chest pain when taking a deep breath
• Avoid grooming pets and other pet care tasks, such as cleaning bird cages and cat litter boxes.
• Do not go where there is smoking/tobacco smoke.
• Stay active and avoid long periods of bedrest.
• Wear a well-fitted face mask when working in a dirty or dusty environment.

Urinary tract and bowels

• Tell your doctor or nurse about mucous or blood seen in your urine.
• Report burning or pain during urination, any urgency or increase in frequency.
• Tell your doctor/nurse about lower back pain or pain above the pubic area.

Feminine hygiene

• Women should use sanitary napkins rather than tampons during menstrual periods.
• Check with the doctor or nurse before douching.
• After bowel movements it is very important for women to wipe from front to back.

Sex during therapy

• Cleanliness and good lubrication during sexual relations should be maintained.

Food safety while white blood count is low
Talk to your doctor about the need to have any special dietary restriction if your white blood count is low. Not all people with low white counts need to restrict what they eat.

The following guidelines are best observed for anyone wishing to prevent a food borne infection.

• Always wash hands with warm soapy water before and after handling foods.
• Keep kitchen surfaces such as appliances, countertops, cutting boards and utensils clean with hot, soapy water.
• Clean surfaces that have contact with raw meat, with a solution of 1 part bleach to 8 parts water. (1 ounce bleach to a cup of water). Use two cutting boards: one strictly to cut meat, poultry and seafood; the other for ready to eat foods, like bread and vegetables.
• Use paper towels for drying. If using kitchen towels, wash daily. Replace sponges at least weekly and wash daily with bleach solution or place them in a dishwasher and run through a complete cleaning cycle using heat.
• When preparing food, the hands should be kept away from the hair, mouth and nose. If possible, jewelry (especially rings) should be removed because they can hold germs.
• Dishes and silverware should be washed in hot soapy water, rinsed and air-dried, or washed and dried in the dishwasher on the heat cycle.
• Clean the inside of the refrigerator with soap and water to control mold.
• Check the expiration dates of all foods and discard if expired. Throw out all foods after 72 hours in the refrigerator that have been opened, used or leftover. Keep the refrigerator temperature between 34 F. degrees and 40 F. degrees. Freezer temperature should be below 5 F. degrees.
• Keep cold foods cold (40 degrees F.) and hot food hot (>140 F. degrees). Defrost meat, turkey and chicken in the refrigerator. Never use canned foods if the can is swollen, dented or rusted.
• Avoid foods from self-serve, bulk containers.
• Avoid salad bars, delis, and buffets.
• At the supermarket, pick up perishables last and take them home right away.
• Rinse fresh fruit or vegetables under running water for at least 30 seconds.