Cancer, the Flu, and You
What Cancer Patients and Survivors Should Know About the Flu

Living with cancer increases your risk for complications from the flu. If you have cancer now or have had cancer in the past, you are at higher risk for complications from both seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu (also called influenza or "swine flu"), including hospitalization and death.

To help prepare you for the flu this season, CDC answers some of your most important questions about special considerations for cancer patients and survivors for seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 flu.

• What should adult cancer patients and survivors know about the 2009–2010 flu season?
• I have had cancer in the past, but I do not have cancer now. Does this information apply to me?
• Are cancer patients and survivors more likely to get the flu than others?
• What can cancer patients and survivors do to protect themselves from 2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu?
• Should cancer patients and survivors be vaccinated against the 2009 H1N1 virus?
• Should cancer patients and survivors be vaccinated against seasonal flu?
• What are the symptoms of 2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu?
• What should cancer patients and survivors do if they think they may have the flu?
• Is there treatment for 2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu?
• When should cancer patients and survivors be prescribed antiviral drugs to prevent the flu?

What should adult cancer patients and survivors know about the 2009–2010 flu season?

Flu activity is increasing in most of the United States, with most states reporting widespread flu activity. This flu season, CDC expects both 2009 H1N1 flu and seasonal flu to circulate and cause illness. Some people, including cancer patients and survivors, are more likely to get flu complications that could result in hospitalization and death.

I have had cancer in the past, but I do not have cancer now. Does this information apply to me?

Yes. If you have had cancer in the past, you are at higher risk for complications from flu, even if you are free from cancer now.

Are cancer patients and survivors more likely to get the flu than others?

We do not know if cancer patients and survivors are at greater risk for infection with either 2009 H1N1 flu or seasonal flu. However, we do know that cancer patients and survivors are at higher risk for complications from both seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu, including hospitalization and death.

What can cancer patients and survivors do to protect themselves from 2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu?

Like everyone, cancer patients and survivors should take these everyday steps to help reduce the spread of flu—

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to stay at least six feet away from people who appear ill.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine. Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making them sick.
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds, and other social distancing measures.
• Be prepared in case you get sick with a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and tissues.

Other important steps to take:

• Stay informed by visiting CDC's 2009 H1N1 Flu site often.
• Develop a plan in advance with your doctor about what to do if you get sick (when you should call your doctor, whether you will need antiviral medication, and how to get a prescription for antiviral medication quickly if needed).
• Make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date.
• Keep a written record of the type of cancer you have, treatment you have received and when you received it, the name and contact information for your doctor, and a list of medicines you are taking.

Should cancer patients and survivors be vaccinated against the 2009 H1N1 virus?

Yes. People with cancer or a history of cancer should receive the H1N1 flu shot, not the nasal spray vaccine. The seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to protect against 2009 H1N1 flu. People who live with or care for cancer patients and survivors also should be vaccinated against 2009 H1N1 flu.

CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that certain groups receive the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine as soon as possible. This group includes cancer patients and survivors. For more information, visit 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine.

Should cancer patients and survivors be vaccinated against seasonal flu?

Yes. People with cancer or a history of cancer should receive the seasonal flu shot, not the nasal spray vaccine. People who live with or care for cancer patients and survivors also should be vaccinated against seasonal flu. The 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine is not expected to protect against seasonal flu. For more information, visit Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine.

What are the symptoms of 2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu?

Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu, including 2009 H1N1, and have respiratory symptoms without a fever. For more information, visit Flu Symptoms and Severity.

What should cancer patients and survivors do if they think they may have the flu?

If you have received cancer treatment such as chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy within the last month, or have a blood or lymphatic form of cancer, call your doctor immediately if you get flu symptoms.

All cancer patients and survivors should follow the steps below.

1. Contact your health care provider and follow his or her instructions.
2. Stay home and away from others as much as possible to keep from making them sick. This means you should avoid public activities, including work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings. You should stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone (without the use of fever-reducing medicine), except to get medical care or other necessities.
3. If you need to go to the doctor’s office, emergency room, or any other health care facility, cover your mouth and nose with a facemask, if available and tolerable, or cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Let the facility’s staff know you are there because you think you may have the flu.

For more information, visit 2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) and You.

Is there treatment for 2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu?

Yes. CDC recommends oseltamivir or zanamivir antiviral drugs to treat and prevent infection with both seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid, or an inhaled powder) that stop flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications.

During the current flu season, the priority use for influenza antiviral drugs is to treat severe flu illness (for example, hospitalized patients) and people who are sick who have a condition that places them at high risk for serious flu-related complications, including cancer patients and survivors.

When should cancer survivors be prescribed antiviral drugs to prevent the flu?

If you have received cancer treatment such as chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy within the last month, or have a blood or lymphatic form of cancer, call your doctor immediately if you have been within six feet of someone known or suspected to have the flu. Your doctor may give you antiviral drugs to help prevent the flu.

If you have cancer and have not received treatment within the last month, or you have had cancer in the past but are cancer-free now, and you have had close contact with someone known or suspected to have the flu, call your doctor and ask if you should receive antiviral drugs.