FLU

FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS

What are flu-like symptoms?

Flu-like symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, weakness or tiredness, and nausea or poor appetite. These feelings may start a few hours or a few days after chemotherapy and may last 1 to 3 days.

Why would I have flu-like symptoms?

Many factors related to cancer can cause flu-like symptoms, including:

Cancer itself
Infections
Medications such as aldesleukin, BCG live vaccine, denileukin diftitox, filgrastim, interferon alfa, rituximab, sargramostim, trastuzumab

When should I call my doctor?

Call your doctor if you are worried or have questions about flu-like symptoms. It is very important to call since it may be hard to tell the difference between flu-like symptoms and an infection. Call the doctor at once if you have any of the symptoms listed below:

Fever above 100.5^o Fahrenheit or shaking chills
Sore throat, hoarseness, or cough
A stuffy or runny nose
Eye or ear drainage
Pain and stiffness in your neck or back
Burning or pain when you urinate
Burning or pain near the rectum
Unusual vaginal discharge or itching (women)
Flu-like symptoms that continue after you stop the medication

What should I do if I have flu-like symptoms?

Staying Warm and Keeping Cool

Wear layers of comfortable clothing, especially when you go to bed. If you get warm, take off some clothes.
Keep extra blankets or a heating pad near your bed if you get cold in the middle of the night. You may want to get an electric blanket or electric mattress pad.
Stay out of cold places (the freezer section at the store, air-conditioned theaters) unless you dress warmly. Use a heating pad or a hot water bottle if you get chilled.
Put cold compresses or ice packs on your forehead when you feel feverish. Bathing in tepid, or lukewarm, water may also help.

Diet

Drink at least four glasses of liquid every day.

Medication

Check with your doctor before taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin^®, Advil^®, Nuprin^®), ketoprofen (Actron Caplets^®, Orudis KT^®), naproxen (Aleve^®), or acetaminophen (Tylenol^®). These can hide signs of infection by lowering a fever.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you can get your medication at bedtime. Flu-like symptoms may not be as bad if you go to bed right after you take your medicine. This can be very helpful if you give yourself injections at home.

These patient information materials should be used in conjunction with verbal counseling. They are not intended as the sole source of information patients receive about managing cancer therapy complications.