What does unexplained fever feel like with febrile neutropenia?

Febrile neutropenia means fever occurring when neutrophils, a type of infection-fighting white blood cell, are low. The body may not create strong local signs such as redness or pus, so a fever can be the clearest warning. You might feel cold and shake before feeling hot, or have only unusual tiredness and dizziness. The sensation cannot measure the seriousness; temperature and blood results are assessed together.

Measure your temperature and contact the oncology service immediately according to your written plan. Tell them when the fever began, the reading, your latest treatment, and any chills, cough, sore throat, diarrhoea, pain, or urinary symptoms. Do not wait for a second symptom, take antibiotics left from an earlier illness, or use fever medicine to postpone contact unless your team tells you to.

Treat the fever threshold provided by your team as urgent. Go to emergency care for difficulty breathing, confusion, fainting, severe shaking, new rash, chest pain, severe abdominal pain, or rapid deterioration. Tell reception that you may have febrile neutropenia so the concern is understood promptly. If you cannot reach the oncology service, use emergency services.

Ask for a written temperature threshold, a night-time contact number, and instructions about medicines. Ask whether you should keep a thermometer at home and how quickly you should attend if a fever occurs.