Remember that the treatment process reduces your child’s immunity and ability to fight off germs.  This is an essential part of treatment, but it makes your child more likely to get sick, so here is how you can help:

1. Washing hands or using a hand sanitizer to reduce the spread of germs.
2. Regularly clean any toys that your child plays with.
3. Do not anyone who has a snotty nose, runny tummy, chickenpox, shingles, mumps or measles visit your child. It could delay your child’s treatment if they get sick.
4. When your child’s blood count is low, limit visitors to one or two healthy people at a time, and avoid very young children visiting at all.
5. Avoid all take away foods and reheated food. If possible only allow your child to eat freshly made home food.
6. Use clean knives/forks/spoons for your child. Avoid sharing utensils or food.
7. Avoid all pets that are kept in cages (especially birds and reptiles) and limit contact with other pets. Do not let pets sleep on the bed of the child or in your child’s room.
8. Do not smoke near your child or in the house.
9. If your child has a fever over 38 degrees, phone the treatment hospital and speak to the sister in charge to get instructions. If the temperature does not reduce, please phone the ward again and then bring your child in.
10. Do not give your child any over the counter/homeopathic medicines or supplements unless cleared with your paediatric oncologist. These can interfere with the treatment process and reduce its effectiveness.