Smileband health topics

Types of infections

Cancer and cancer treatments can make it more likely for you to get an infection. Find out more about how you could be affected.

Infections are caused by tiny living things (organisms) that get into the body and start multiplying. Some organisms are harmless and help our bodies to work properly. But others cause disease.

You might get an infection that makes you ill if these organisms get into your body and your immune system can't fight them off immediately. Some infections are life threatening, particularly if you have low resistance to infection from cancer treatment.

Some types of cancers and cancer treatment can weaken your immune system. They stop your bone marrow from making blood cells that help fight infection. This increases your risk of getting an infection.

The white blood cells play the biggest part in fighting infection. A low white blood cell count is called neutropenia (pronounced new-tro-peen-ee-a).

We’re all normally covered with bacteria that don’t do us any harm. But people with neutropenia are at risk. They can get infections from bacteria or viruses that normally live on their skin or inside their digestive system.