Cancer patients have a higher risk of infections due to treatments suppressing their immunity. Infections are caused by various microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa entering the body and multiplying. Common infections in cancer patients include those caused by Staphylococcus and Streptococcus bacteria, herpes virus, candida fungi, and protozoa. Cancer treatments can weaken the immune system by reducing white blood cells, making it harder for the body to fight infections which may become life-threatening for cancer patients.

2. A cancer patient’s body is
more susceptible to
infections. Since cancer
treatment and care
involves a lot of
medication and
chemotherapy, immunity
is suppressed, which leads
to increased risk of
infections and other
problems.

3. Infections, firstly, strike the
immune system. Infections
are mainly caused by small
living organisms that enter
the body and start
multiplying.
There are some harmless
organisms that help the
bodies to function properly.
But some others tend to
cause diseases.

4. If such organisms enter the body, and the immune
system fails to combat them immediately, you are likely
to develop an infection that will make you ill. If the
infection is left unrated, it may lead to severe health
complications. There are some life-threatening infections,
especially in case if you have lower resistance to
infections arising from a typical cancer treatment.

5. There are some cancer types
and treatments that can
weaken the immune system.
They stop the bone marrow
from producing blood cells,
which helps fight infections.
This leads to an increased
risk of developing infection.
White blood cells, on the
other hand, play a bigger
role in warding off infection.
Low white blood cells count
is called neutropenia.

6. Bacteria are believed to be
the common cause of
infection in cancer
patients. There are
different types of bacteria
that may be involved,
which includes
staphylococcus,
streptococcus,
pseudomonas,
clostridium difficile,
escherichia coli and
listeria monocytogenes.

7. Viruses are small particles that
cannot survive on their own. In
order to reproduce, they must
infect living cells like the cells
in our body. Virus is
responsible for causing flu.
Some of the most common
viruses causing infections in
cancer patients include herpes
simplex, common cold virus,
varicella zoster, influenza and
cytomegalovirus.

8. Staph, which is the first kind,
affects the skin. Though the
infection may start off as a
small one, it graduates to
become serious.
Strep is the second common
bacterial infection that causes
skin infection – cellulites- and
tonsillitis. They are normally
treated with penicillin.
Other bacteria can lead to
bladder infections, diarrhea,
fever, abdominal pain and
similar symptoms.

9. Many cancer treatments tend to have severe effect
on the immune system, thus making the body less
able to combat small infections. It takes longer to
recover from a cold or flu. Complications tend to
worsen over time.

10. Fungi can reside in the body
without causing problems.
However, a fungal infection occurs
when the immune system becomes
weak, thus causing problem.
One of the most commonly
occurring fungal infections in
cancer patients is Candida, also
known as thrush. Patients who get
a sore mouth as a result of
radiotherapy or chemotherapy are
at an increased risk of getting
thrush.

11. Less commonly affecting fungal infections is
pneumocystis and aspergillosis. These infections,
though not serious, makes the immune system
weak.

12. Protozoa are probably the
tiniest animals known to
mankind. Protozoa causes
toxoplasmosis infection.
It may lead to mild illnesses
in common people, but
severe ones in people with
cancer, which may even
spread to the brain.

13. It is important to note that these infections will
only pose to become problems if your body’s
resistance to infections is low.