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There are many things you can do during and after chemo to
keep yourself and your loved ones from being affected by the drugs
while your body is getting rid of them. It takes about 48 hours for
your body to break down and/or get rid of most chemo drugs.
Most of the waste comes out in your body fluids--urine, stool,
tears, and vomit. The drugs are also found in your blood. When these
drugs get outside your body, they can harm or irritate skin--even other
people's. Keep in mind that for this reason, toilets can be a hazard
for children and pets and it is important to be careful. Talk to your
doctor about these and any other precautions you should follow.
During and for 48 hours after you get chemo:
- Flush the toilet twice after you use it. Put the lid down
before flushing to avoid splashing. If possible, you may want to use a
separate toilet during this time.
- Both men and women should sit on the toilet to use it. This
cuts down on splashing.
- Always wash your hands with warm water and soap after using
the toilet. Use paper towels to dry your hands and throw them away.
- If you vomit into the toilet, clean off all splashes and
flush twice. If you vomit into a bucket or basin, carefully empty it
into the toilet without splashing the contents and flush twice. Wash
out the bucket with hot soapy water and rinse it, emptying the wash and
rinse water into the toilet, then flushing it. Dry the bucket with
paper towels and throw them away.
- Caregivers should wear throw-away gloves if they need to
touch any of your body fluids. (These can be bought in most drug
stores.) They should always wash their hands with warm water and soap
afterward--even if they had gloves on.
- If a caregiver does come in contact with any of your body
fluids they should wash the area very well with warm soap and water.
Although this is not likely to cause any harm, try to take extra care
to avoid this. At your next visit, let your doctor know this happened.
Being exposed frequently may lead to problems and extra care should be
taken to avoid this.
- Any clothes or sheets that have body fluids on them should
be washed in your washing machine--not by hand. Wash them twice in hot
water with regular laundry detergent. Do not wash them with other
clothes. If they cannot be washed right away seal them in a plastic
bag.
- If using throw-away adult diapers, underwear, or sanitary
pads, seal them in plastic and throw them away with your regular trash.
Adapted from
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Chemotherapy Precautions During and
After Treatment. 2008. Available at www.cchs.net/health/health-info/docs/4300/4350.asp?index=13586&pflag=1
Last
Medical Review: 08/28/2008
Last Revised: 09/11/2008
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