Precautions you and your caregiver should take at home after receiving chemotherapy.
You and your caregivers should take certain precautions at home after you received chemotherapy. Precautions should be taken with all body fluids (i.e. vomit, urine, stool, semen) for 48 hours after your chemotherapy treatment.
Precautions for patients:
- Make sure the toilet seat is clean and dry.
- Urinate while sitting down on the toilet.
- Close the lid when flushing to avoid splashing.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after each time you go to the bathroom.
- If linen or clothing becomes soiled with vomit, urine, or stool, wash these items separately once before washing with other laundry. Handle them carefully. Use a trash bag to carry them from one area of the house to another; throw the trash bag away when you are done using it.
- Use a condom when having sexual intercourse.
Precautions for caregivers:
- Avoid contact with the patient's body fluids by wearing latex gloves.
- Wear gloves for handling any soiled linen or clothing and follow the laundering instructions above.
- Empty bedpans/urinals close to toilet to avoid splashing and clean the toilet seat.
- Wash hands thoroughly after providing any care.
If these precautions are followed, exposure to chemotherapy from body fluids is very unlikely.
Receiving chemotherapy at home
Some patients have their chemotherapy given at home by pill or IV pump. You should store chemotherapy drugs and supplies out of the reach of children and pets.