What to do if…
you are immunocompromised or taking immune-suppressing medicine and develop a fever

What to do now

1. Measure your temperature with a thermometer if one is available, but call even without a measurement if you feel feverish, chilled, unusually cold, or suddenly unwell.
2. Contact your specialist, prescribing clinician, transplant team, oncology team, or after-hours service now. Say clearly that you are immunocompromised or taking immune-suppressing medicine and have developed a fever.
3. Follow the fever instructions and temperature threshold in your personal treatment plan. If you are receiving chemotherapy, a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher requires an immediate call to your cancer care team.
4. Tell the clinician your temperature, how and when you measured it, when symptoms began, your medical condition, your medicines and recent doses, and whether you have recently had chemotherapy, a transplant, an infusion, an injection, or low white blood cell counts.
5. Ask specifically what to do with your next medicine dose and whether you should take acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or another fever-reducing medicine. Do not make these changes before receiving instructions unless your existing care plan already tells you what to do.
6. If you cannot reach your usual team promptly, contact another licensed clinician or an emergency department for direction. Go to an emergency department if your care plan directs you there or you are becoming more unwell.
7. Call 911 if you have difficulty breathing, confusion, a seizure, blue or gray lips or nails, cannot be awakened normally, or have a severe headache with a stiff neck.
8. While arranging care, note any chills, cough, sore throat, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, painful urination, wound redness, catheter-site changes, severe weakness, or recent exposure to illness. Take small sips of fluid if you can swallow safely and have not been told to restrict fluids.