Should visitors avoid me if they have a cold?

Yes. The National Cancer Institute specifically recommends avoiding visitors who are sick or have a cold during cancer treatment. Even a mild cold in someone else can pose more risk to you, because some cancers and treatments — including chemotherapy — lower the number of white blood cells your body uses to fight infection.

This precaution goes hand in hand with a few others NCI recommends: avoiding crowds, avoiding anyone who has just had a live vaccine (such as vaccines for chicken pox, polio, or measles), and having everyone, including visitors, wash their hands well.

It can feel awkward to ask a friend or family member to reschedule a visit, but most people understand once they know why. Some households find it easier to set a simple standing rule — like "if you're not feeling well, let's plan for another time" — so it doesn't feel like a special conversation every time.

If you notice signs of infection yourself, contact your health care team promptly. Infections during treatment can be serious and need quick attention, so it's better to check in than wait and see.