How Seasonal Infections Can Affect Pancreatic Cancer Patients

Seasonal changes can also impact the surrounding environment. The shifts in temperature, humidity, and air quality that accompany "monsoons," winters, or summers are favorable for viruses and bacteria to proliferate. In most individuals, these illnesses will cause short-term discomfort -- a mild fever, cough, or cold. However, in cases of pancreatic cancer, seasonal infections can cause significant sickness and can even be fatal. Understanding how pancreatic cancer patients respond to seasonal illnesses can help families and others caregivers make suitable plans for preventive measures. 

1. Immune System Suppression and infection risk 

Cancer, and most importantly cancer treatments, can greatly suppress a persons immune system. Chemotherapy, radiation and targeted therapies kill cancer cells, but they also compromise health white blood cells that normally work to keep the body healthy from germs. 

Seasonal viruses, such as influenza, dengue, or even a mild respiratory infection, are passed zoonotically through the air. While an individual with a healthy immune system may only incur mild discomfort when exposed to any of these infections, an individual with pancreatic cancer may develop fever  or worse pneumonia or a systemic infection requiring hospitalization  causing a prolonged absence from work or other daily activities. 

Infections can even derail ongoing treatment cycles. If a patient has even a small infection, their chemotherapy cycle will often be delayed simply because the patient does not heal quickly. These inevitable interruptions will ultimately lead to diminishing efficacy of the treatment and an increase in complexity and stress for the patient and their family. For these reasons, it is critically important to maintain one's immune system and practice good hygiene during times of highest infection risk.Effects on Nutrition and Digestive Health

People who have pancreatic cancer already have complications with digestion (the pancreas is the primary organ involved in producing enzymes needed to help digest food). Seasonal infections, such as gastroenteritis or flu-like illness, can compound these problems with nausea, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.

Even a mild infection can impair intake of food, result in dehydration, and disrupt electrolyte balance, particularly dangerous post-surgery or post-chemotherapy. One of the major worries during the rainy season is food and water contamination. Bacterial illnesses such as E. coli or Salmonella are easily transmitted from poor-quality water and/or food that is not properly cooked. This will worsen an already compromised digestive function.

To minimize risk, patients should consume freshly cooked meals at home, drink only purified drinking water, and avoid all raw and/or street food. Foods that improve immune resilience like, citrus fruits, leafy vegetables, curd, and high protein foods should be included. If possible, the support from a hospital nutritionist for a personalized pancreatic diet plan during seasonal transitions is really important.

2. Fever, Fatigue, and Impact on Recovery

Seasonal infections can also increase fatigue one of the more common and distressing symptoms in this patient population. When the immune system is perpetually fighting off an infection, they are using energy reserves and the patient will feel even more tired than usual.

In addition, high fevers and chronic cough can affect rest and sleep.Having a fever or vomiting can contribute to dehydration, which can result in an electrolyte imbalance leading to difficulties in heart and kidney functions, and patients undergoing chemotherapy will additionally have safety risks of becoming neutropenic (dangerously low white blood cell counts), therefore making the patient even more vulnerable to future infections. 

It is common for oncologists to recommend that patients avoid crowded areas, wear masks in times of increased infection rates as a preventative measure, and set up regular visits for blood draws to check the health of the immune system. There is nothing too complicated about prevention; a flu shot, frequent hand washing, and a clean indoor environment can drastically decrease the chances of infection. 

3. The Emotional and Psychological Effect

In addition to the regular consequences of recurrent infections, the emotional burden can merely be a mental flat-out distress.  Furthermore, the added stress of constantly worrying about the next cold or the next illness creates additional burden for those already dealing with the sided effects of pancreatic cancer, including missed treatments and doctor appointments, as well as setbacks in the recovery process. The combating of fatigue through missed treatments, hospitalizations, or just feeling poorly can also take a toll on long-term hope and motivation. 

Family or caregivers will play an essential role in the healing process as well, and true support can offer the most aid. It is essential that he/she is just as dedicated to supporting your emotional health as your medical health; supporting you in rest is just as productive as supports you in your regressions or setbacks. Many integrated hospital systems offer cancer care include services like counseling, along with nutritional coaching, and health focus, infection control- care to patients and families who are vulnerable. 

4. Preventive Measures for Patients During Seasonal Changes

In order to minimize the risk for infection, patients with pancreatic cancer should adopt a few critical prevention suggestions: 

• Strict hygiene practices - This includes frequent hand washing, wiping down surfaces, and not hounded your face with unwashed hands. 
• Stay hydrated - Drinking boiled or purified water, avoiding beverages outside of home, or known clean sources. 
• Eat substance from immunity- you are what you eat, eat citrus fruits, spinach, carrots, turmeric, garlic. 
• Avoid crowded areas - The public will always increase your exposure to airborne viruses. 
• Vaccinations - Annual flu vaccines and pneumonia vaccines, as appropriate from the oncologist. 
• Monitor your body temperature- report any fever to the treating physician (even a low-grade fever) immediately when detected. 
• Rest - Adequate need for sleep. Sufficient sleep will allow the body rebuild strength between treatments (or infections).

In summary, for those with pancreatic cancer and dealing with seasonal infections, please be aware that they are not just seasonal discomforts. Their potential can harm treatment or recovery if we are not proactive in preventation, we can care for the body with thoughtful diets, and/or bring our body to a physician's care. 

At GEM Hospital, we appreciate the concern and thought of our patients trying to understand the unique stressors of living with pancreatic cancer throughout the year. We have a team of physicians that can help manage all aspects of infection control, while also providing nutritional counseling, and continuous monitoring on the course for the safe food to recovery. 

If you or a loved one are in treatment, there is no reason to wait for symptoms to get better. Schedule your appointment today at GEM Hospital!