UNDERSTANDING
Palliative
Care07.2022
Bodily fluids and staying safe
Please note:
Having Chemotherapy does not mean you have to isolate yourself from your friends and family. You just need to be aware of keeping clean and safe around them.
Having Chemotherapy does not mean you have to isolate yourself from your friends and family. You just need to be aware of keeping clean and safe around them.
Chemotherapy is a drug that destroys cancer cells and this is something to keep in mind when helping someone who has undergone treatment. It is important to always use proper protection when assisting in the cleaning of cancer patient wounds because the chemo the patient received leaves the body through body fluids such as urine, saliva, sweat, semen, vomit, stool, and vaginal secretions and can be found in the body fluids for up to 7 days after the last dose. Acute exposure to body fluids or the cancer medicine itself can cause rash, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, abdominal pain, headache, nasal sores, and allergic reactions.
Some methods to use and keep in mind
Wear gloves
• Always wear gloves when assisting and helping a patient undergoing or who underwent chemotherapy, especially when:
* Cleaning their wounds
* Washing the patient
* Cleaning a diaper
* Cleaning the bathroom/bedpan/urinal
* Doing their laundry
* Dealing with bodily fluids of any kind
• Always use fresh, clean gloves (make sure they are not torn, or damaged)
• Use powder-free, latex glove (this can be purchased from your pharmacy)
• Properly dispose of used gloves
Wash your hands
• Always wash your hands before and after:
* Preparing food * Eating
* Blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
* Going to the bathroom
* Handling body fluids
Using the bathroom/urinal/bedpan
• Men and women should sit down when using the toilet to prevent splashing
• Always wear gloves when emptying the bedpan or urinal
• Use a cleaning agent like household bleach to rinse the bedpan/urinal. Do this carefully and slowly to avoid splashing
• Keep the toilet lid closed when flushing
• Keep urinal/bedpan away from pets and children
(Diapers)
• Should you be dealing with diapers, always make sure to wash the surrounding area with soap and water after changing. • Wrap the diaper in a plastic bag before disposing of it.
WARNING
Should you come in contact with any bodily fluids, wash the area with soap and hot water immediately. A disinfectant like household bleach should be used where possible to do so safely.
Should you get bodily fluids in your eyes, rinse your eyes for at least 15 seconds. In the case of contact lenses – remove your lenses, and wash them before replacing them.
Should you find an irritation developing or lasting for more than an hour, be sure to contact your doctor.
Wear gloves
• Always wear gloves when assisting and helping a patient undergoing or who underwent chemotherapy, especially when:
* Cleaning their wounds
* Washing the patient
* Cleaning a diaper
* Cleaning the bathroom/bedpan/urinal
* Doing their laundry
* Dealing with bodily fluids of any kind
• Always use fresh, clean gloves (make sure they are not torn, or damaged)
• Use powder-free, latex glove (this can be purchased from your pharmacy)
• Properly dispose of used gloves
Wash your hands
• Always wash your hands before and after:
* Preparing food * Eating
* Blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
* Going to the bathroom
* Handling body fluids
Using the bathroom/urinal/bedpan
• Men and women should sit down when using the toilet to prevent splashing
• Always wear gloves when emptying the bedpan or urinal
• Use a cleaning agent like household bleach to rinse the bedpan/urinal. Do this carefully and slowly to avoid splashing
• Keep the toilet lid closed when flushing
• Keep urinal/bedpan away from pets and children
(Diapers)
• Should you be dealing with diapers, always make sure to wash the surrounding area with soap and water after changing. • Wrap the diaper in a plastic bag before disposing of it.
WARNING
Should you come in contact with any bodily fluids, wash the area with soap and hot water immediately. A disinfectant like household bleach should be used where possible to do so safely.
Should you get bodily fluids in your eyes, rinse your eyes for at least 15 seconds. In the case of contact lenses – remove your lenses, and wash them before replacing them.
Should you find an irritation developing or lasting for more than an hour, be sure to contact your doctor.