Avoiding infection

Neutropenia represents a significant complication in myeloma and also a common side-effect of many anti-myeloma treatments. Patients who are neutropenic are at a greater risk of infection, with Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenza and gram negative bacilli the most frequent causes of infection.

Nurses should inform patients of the risk of infection and advise them to:

• Exercise good personal hygiene and clean their hands frequently
• Avoid contact with anyone who has obvious signs of a cough or cold and to stay away from crowded public environments such as busy trains and buses
• Avoid activities or take extra precaution when gardening, handling pet litter etc
• Eat only fruits and vegetables that can be washed, peeled or cooked; eat only meat that is fully cooked; practice good kitchen hygiene
• Take antibiotics as prescribed
• To have their annual vaccinations and any relevant childhood vaccinations again if they have had a transplant
• Be alert for symptoms and to report them quickly including a raised temperature above 37.5°C, pain, redness or swelling around a cut or around the entry point of a Hickman® line, rash, fever, shivers, diarrhoea etc

Read more about how to support patients in managing their risk of infection in our Myeloma Nurse Guide.