Second-hand chemo danger?

BellaV

I will be starting chemo soon, and my husband and I are surprised that we had never heard of the danger of second-hand chemo... The chemo that I will be losing in bodily fluids for at least 48 hours following the treatment.

Is it really something to be so cautious of? I searched and could not find a topic on this.

Using separate bathrooms, laundering clothes and sheets/ towels, eating utensils washed separate, etc....

Overkill? or Real danger?

Spookiesmom

I haven't heard of that for chemo, but guess it could be so. I have heard of precautions like those after radioactive tests.

molliefish

I was specifically told about it, however it was in regard to the following:

If you are vomiting or have diarrhea and someone else is cleaning up for you, make sure the person who is your caregiver is using precautions, gloves etc. and that they don't get any of your bodily substance on them. If they do, ensure they was promptly with plenty of soap and water.

When you use the toilet, close the lid and flush twice.

If you are going to have intercourse ensure that your spouse wears a condom and that they have a shower afterward. The chemicals that you are being treated with will come out in your bodily fluid, mostly vomit, urine, saliva.

ksusan

I checked this with my oncologist after reading an ACS pamphlet and she was very explicit about it--the dire warnings online and in ACS publications are about the chemo used for leukemia. The precautions in Molliefish's reply are all that's necessary.

Italychick

I did sleep in a separate bed for three nights following an infusion, but that was because my 12 year old Italian greyhound sleeps in our bed and I was mostly worried about the effect it could have on him if I sweated a bunch in the middle of the night. The other reason was for me, for comfort mainly, in case I couldn't sleep, wanted to be up, was tossing and turning, I didn't want the anxiety of disturbing my husband. And honestly, I wanted to be left alone in a quiet space. I did the two flushes of the toilet with the lid closed, and didn't engage in sex for about five days after chemo. The only other precaution was I washed the clothes I wore the two days following chemo separately and I double washed them. I also tried not to slobber and drool on my grandkids for two days, but I still saw them.

The last comment was meant to be funny! I wouldn't get too worried. A pregnant woman did a few of my infusions, so it can't be that big of a concern. Just take whatever precautions make you comfortable, and highly consider just giving yourself a separate space for a few nights, just for comfort. I had a bed and tv in a room, that way if I woke up and wanted to watch tv, nobody cared but me

littleblueflowers

My MO said you are only dangerous for 48 hrs after chemo-after that it's out of your system. And no special washing or cleaning or flushing necessary. Unless you are superwoman, you won't feel like having sex the first few days after chemo anyway. Not to worry!