If you are diagnosed with neutropenic sepsis

Information for the public

If you are diagnosed with neutropenic sepsis you should stay in hospital and have treatment with an antibiotic until your risk of developing complications has been assessed.

A member of the cancer team with experience in managing complications of anticancer treatment should assess your risk of developing complications, such as chest or kidney problems, from your neutropenic sepsis. They should do this within 24 hours after your admission to hospital. If your risk of complications is high, it should be assessed again every day and you should continue to have treatment with an antibiotic.

Questions you might like to ask if you are diagnosed with neutropenic sepsis

How serious is my illness?
How long will I need to stay in hospital?
How long will it take the antibiotic to work?
Can you tell me whether this illness will affect my anticancer treatment?

If your risk of complications is low, or if it changes from high to low, your doctor may offer to discharge you from hospital and give you an antibiotic to take at home. This will depend on your circumstances, and your doctor should explain that you will need to return to hospital promptly if a problem develops.

Questions you might like to ask if you are offered antibiotics to take at home

How long should I take the antibiotic for?
When should I start to feel better and what should I do if I don't start to feel better by then?
When should I come back to hospital?
What should I do if I get any side effects? (For example, should I call my GP, or go to an emergency care unit?)
Are there any risks associated with this antibiotic?
Is there some written material (like a leaflet) about this antibiotic that I can have?