What counts as a fever during chemotherapy?

During chemotherapy, a fever of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher can be a sign of infection. Call your health care team if you have one.

This matters because some cancers and treatments like chemotherapy lower your white blood cells—the cells that fight infection—so an infection can become serious quickly. Other signs of infection include chills, cough or sore throat, diarrhea, and redness or swelling where a catheter enters the body.

Infections during cancer treatment can be life threatening and need urgent attention. Ask your care team what number to call and when, so you are ready if a fever happens.