Chemotherapy often brings questions about maintaining physical closeness with loved ones. Understanding how chemotherapy affects the body and the potential considerations for those around the patient is important. While the desire for intimacy and affection remains, understanding specific precautions is important for the well-being of both the patient and their partner. This article addresses safe physical contact, such as kissing, during chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy Drug Transfer
A common concern involves the potential transfer of chemotherapy drugs from the patient to a partner through bodily fluids like saliva. Chemotherapy medications are potent, but the amount typically secreted in saliva during casual contact, such as a quick kiss, is very low. Most chemotherapy drugs are primarily excreted from the body through urine and feces, and sometimes also in sweat, vomit, semen, and vaginal fluids.
Healthcare professionals generally advise caution for prolonged or deep kissing, especially within 48 to 72 hours following a chemotherapy treatment session. During this period, drug concentrations in bodily fluids might be at their highest. While the risk of systemic absorption by the kisser through saliva is negligible for most standard chemotherapy regimens, some individuals may be sensitive to even small traces of medication and could experience minor irritation.
Infection Risk for the Patient
A significant consideration during chemotherapy is the patient’s heightened susceptibility to infection. Chemotherapy drugs target rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells, but they also affect healthy cells that divide quickly, such as those in the bone marrow. This impact on bone marrow reduces the production of white blood cells, particularly neutrophils, leading to neutropenia. A low white blood cell count impairs the body’s ability to fight off infections, making the patient more vulnerable to bacteria and viruses that might be harmless to a person with a healthy immune system.
Common viruses and bacteria, including those responsible for colds, flu, or cold sores, can pose a serious threat to a chemotherapy patient. For example, herpes simplex virus (HSV), which causes cold sores, can reactivate and lead to severe, prolonged outbreaks in immunocompromised patients. Therefore, anyone in close contact with a chemotherapy patient should be completely free of any symptoms of illness before engaging in physical contact.
General Safety Practices
Maintaining open communication with the patient and their healthcare team is an important step in ensuring safety and well-being during chemotherapy. This allows the medical team to provide tailored advice based on the patient’s treatment regimen and overall health.
Good hand hygiene is a fundamental precaution. Regular handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable, significantly reduces the spread of germs. Caregivers should also wear gloves when handling bodily fluids, especially within 48 to 72 hours after treatment.
Maintaining good oral hygiene for the patient is also important, as mouth sores are a common side effect of chemotherapy and can serve as entry points for infection. Brushing teeth gently with a soft toothbrush multiple times a day and using recommended rinses can help. While caution is necessary, supporting emotional and physical closeness through safe practices helps maintain the patient’s overall well-being.