Ways to Prevent Infection and Colds for Cancer Patients with Compromised Immune Systems

I’ve always been a germaphobe and felt it paid off at this time. Though the doctors did tell me that most infections would be self infections, in other words, things that are normally in our bodies but because of a lowered immune system, cause problems. But it is still important to be vigilant and it may take a little imagination to realize all the ways someone can be exposed to potential infections or colds.

I’ve mentioned before that while staying at my sister's home, I would wake up early and clean and disinfect everything that Mathew might touch. 

light switches

TV remotes

doorknobs

faucets and handles

door jams

the arms of chairs

refrigerator doors and handles

coffee pot handle

car door handle

You get the picture, anything and everything.

I did the same when he was staying at Moffitt. In addition, I was advised to make sure everyone who entered the room used the hand sanitizer. 

I also avoided riding the elevators unless Mathew was with me. I took the stairs. Avoided the crowds. Once when I went grocery shopping, the cashier was coughing, so before I put the groceries in the car I used Clorox wipes to wipe the outside of each item and placed them in a new bag and disposed of the ones the cashier had used to bag the groceries.

I was determined that Mathew wouldn’t fall to a cold, flu or infection. 

When Mathew had to go to the DRC, only a few rooms had private bathrooms. Otherwise, Mathew had to share a bathroom with other patients and their caregivers. One time he had diarrhea and every time he alerted me, I unplugged his I.V. pole and as he made his way through the ward to the bathroom, I went ahead with a paper towel soaked with hand sanitizer. First I wiped the doorknob outside and then inside. Then the faucet and soap dispenser, then the flush handle on the toilet and lastly, the toilet seat.

Hand washing is important. The hospital gave us sheets about washing hands, covering coughs and more. It pays off. From the time Mathew was diagnosed, it was two and a half years before I had a cold.