Chemotherapy medications are strong chemicals. People receiving chemotherapy can safely spend time with family and friends. But chemotherapy can stay in body fluids for a short time. These fluids can cause harm to someone who touches them. Simple safety steps can help protect caregivers and others at home.
This article shares general safety precautions when someone in your home is receiving chemotherapy treatment. The care team will have more specific instructions based on the medications being given. Always follow the instructions of the care team.
Do I need to take precautions if someone in my home is on chemotherapy?
You do not need to avoid your loved one during treatment. It is safe to hug, eat together, and spend time in the same room.
After treatment, small amounts of chemotherapy can leave the body through fluids. These include urine, stool, vomit, blood, saliva, sweat, semen, and vaginal fluids. Family members should avoid direct contact with these fluids for a short time.
The safety steps can vary based on the type of chemotherapy. Ask the cancer care team which steps you should follow at home.
How long do you need to take precautions after chemotherapy?
Take precautions for at least 48 hours after chemotherapy. Some treatments can stay in body fluids for longer. This may be up to 7 days for certain treatments.
Ask the cancer care team how long you need to take precautions. People taking chemotherapy pills at home may need added safety steps while taking their medicine.
Keeping chemotherapy medications safe at home
Sometimes, chemotherapy can be given at home. It may be given as an infusion or a pill. Make sure the chemotherapy can not be reached by children or pets.
If the chemotherapy is given through IV infusion, you may need to take extra precautions.
When handling the medication or the pump, always wear gloves.
Your care team will give you a chemotherapy spill kit. Keep it nearby when handling chemotherapy and use it to clean up any spills.
Ask your care team how to dispose of the waste.
If the chemotherapy is given as a pill, follow the care team’s instructions. Do not crush, break, chew, or open chemotherapy pills or capsules. Only do this if the cancer care team tells you to. You may need to use gloves when handling chemotherapy pills, too.
Cleaning safely and handling bodily fluids
If you need to clean bodily fluids that may have chemotherapy medications, it is important to follow safety precautions. Always clean up urine, stool, vomit, blood, and other bodily fluids right away. Wear disposable gloves while cleaning. Use paper towels or another item you can throw away.
Sharing bathrooms after chemotherapy
You may want to consider separate bathrooms for the person taking chemotherapy and the rest of the home. But this is not always possible. It is safe to share a toilet with someone receiving chemotherapy. Follow these precautions:
Sit down to urinate to prevent splashes.
Clean any body fluids from the toilet seat and rim after use.
Close the toilet lid before flushing.
Flush the toilet twice after use.
Always wash your hands with warm water and soap.
Place used diapers, pads, and similar items in a sealed plastic bag. Then place the bag in the trash.
Gloves, handwashing, and protecting yourself from exposure
Wear disposable gloves when touching body fluids or items soiled with them. Wear two pairs of gloves when there is a greater risk of a spill or splash.
Carefully remove the gloves and throw them away. Then wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
If chemotherapy or body fluids get on your skin, wash the area with soap and warm water. If chemotherapy gets in your eyes, rinse them with running water for 10 to 15 minutes. Then call your healthcare team for instructions.
Doing laundry and washing dishes when someone is on chemo
Clothes and bedding without body fluids on them can be washed as usual.
Wear gloves when touching soiled clothes, towels, or bedding. Wash these items separately from other laundry. Use regular detergent and warm or hot water. Wash them twice, and do not wash them by hand.
If you cannot wash the items right away, place them in a sealed plastic bag. Keep them there until you can wash them.
During the safety period, use separate plates, cups, and utensils for the person receiving chemotherapy. Wash reusable dishes in the dishwasher. You can also wash them well with hot, soapy water.
Special precautions for pregnant family members and young children
Pregnant or breastfeeding family members should not handle chemotherapy medicines. They should also avoid body fluids that may contain chemotherapy.
Children should not handle chemotherapy medicines or items soiled with body fluids. Keep chemotherapy in its original container. Store it where children and pets cannot reach it.
Keep children and pets away from body fluid spills. Keep the toilet lid closed so pets cannot drink from it.
Sexual activity after chemotherapy
Ask your care team about sexual activity after chemotherapy. They can tell you what precautions to take and when.
When to call the healthcare team
Call the healthcare team if chemotherapy spills or leaks at home. You should also call if someone else takes the medicine by accident. Ask for help if you are not sure how to clean a spill or throw away soiled items.
The person receiving chemotherapy should call their healthcare team for a fever at or above the level their team gave them. They should also call for bleeding, pain, or redness at an intravenous (IV) treatment site. IV means the treatment was given through a vein.
Call if the person cannot swallow or keep down liquids or chemotherapy pills. Severe signs of an allergic reaction need emergency care. These can include trouble breathing, hives, or severe swelling.
Questions to ask your care team about chemotherapy precautions
Family members do not need to stay away from someone receiving chemotherapy. Focus on avoiding direct contact with chemotherapy and body fluids that may contain it. Wear gloves, wash your hands, clean spills, and handle soiled items with care.
Consider asking the care team the following questions:
What type of chemotherapy will my loved one receive?
Is it an infusion or is it a pill taken at home? Is it given another way?
How long after each infusion or dose should we take precautions?
What precautions need to be taken at home after a chemotherapy dose?
What do we do if someone is exposed to bodily fluids after a chemotherapy dose?
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