Preventing Infections in Cancer Patients

Getting chemo? Learn how to prevent infections and stay healthy during treatment

Photo of a cancer patient and her mother drinking coffee

Learn how chemotherapy raises your risk of getting an infection and what to do if you get an infection during chemotherapy.

Health Care Providers

Photo of a nurse providing a vaccine to a cancer patient

Our resources explain how to protect cancer patients who receive chemotherapy in an outpatient oncology clinic from infections.

Educational Materials

Photo of a man and a woman looking at a laptop computer

We offer a variety of materials to help promote awareness about the importance of preventing infections in cancer patients.

Visiting Friends and Family with Higher Risk for Severe Illness

Visiting friends and family with higher risk for severe illness

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This video lists steps you can take to protect friends and family who are at higher risk of getting an infection.

Featured Resources

Photo of a doctor giving a young boy a flu shot while his mother looks on

Learn what cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers should know about the flu.

Photo of a smiling woman showing the bandage on her shoulder after receiving the third dose of COVID-19 vaccine

See our tips for staying well during COVID-19.

3 steps toward preventing infections during cancer treatment: prepare, prevent, protect

The 3 Steps websiteexternal icon estimates your risk of getting neutropenia during chemotherapy.

The Preventing Infections in Cancer Patients campaign explains how cancer patients can avoid life-threatening infections during chemotherapy treatment.

Page last reviewed: November 16, 2021

Content source: Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention