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Fever During Chemotherapy

Your Chemotherapy Fever — Action Plan

Any fever during chemotherapy is an emergency until your team says otherwise. This card tells you what to check, who to call, and what to do — right now, in this order.

Medically reviewed by Dr. N. Kiranmayee, Medical Oncologist · Last reviewed September 2026

  • Any fever, any time — There is no safe temperature to wait on. Any rise above normal during chemotherapy means call your team now, not tomorrow.
  • Day or night — Your team has an out-of-hours number. Use it. Waiting until morning is not the right choice.
  • Do not self-treat first — Taking a fever-reducing medicine before calling can make the situation look less serious than it is.
  • You may need to go in — A fever on chemotherapy often means hospital assessment, not just a phone call. Go prepared for an overnight stay.
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Any fever — any temperature above your normal — during chemotherapy means call your oncology team immediately. NCCN and ASCO classify fever during chemotherapy as a potential medical emergency requiring same-day assessment. Do not wait to see if it settles. Do not take fever-reducing medicine before calling. Call now.

If a symptom below applies to you, do not wait for a callback. Call 1800-202-8726 or go to your nearest emergency department.

What temperature is dangerous on chemotherapy?

SignWhat countsWhat to do
Temperature readingAny reading above your normal — even a modest riseCall your oncology team immediately, day or night
Shaking chills or rigorsEven if you have not yet taken your temperatureTreat as fever — call now, go to emergency if told to
Other symptoms with the feverCough, breathing difficulty, rash, chest pain, confusionGo to the emergency department — do not wait for a callback
Typically startsAny point in the cycle — not only on the day after chemotherapyKeep a thermometer at home throughout your entire treatment course

If you are worried right now, call

Our helpline is answered by clinical staff. If a symptom is on the list above, do not wait for a callback — call, or go to your nearest emergency department.

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Not sure whether this counts as an emergency?

Call the helpline. It is always better to check than to wait.

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Who do you call and what do you say?

Call the number your oncology team gave you at cycle one. Your CION centre's helpline operates around the clock — that is the first number to try.

When you call, say: 'I am on chemotherapy and I have a fever.' Give your name and the name of your cancer centre. They will tell you whether to come in.

If you cannot get through within a few minutes, or if symptoms are worsening while you wait, go directly to the nearest emergency department and tell them immediately that you are on chemotherapy.

What do you do first when you get a fever?

  • Take your temperature with a thermometer.A digital thermometer is most reliable. Note the reading and the time.
  • Call your oncology team's helpline immediately.Day or night. Tell them your name, your treatment centre, and that you have a fever.
  • Do not take fever-reducing medicine before you call.Paracetamol and similar medicines lower your temperature and may make the situation look less serious than it is.
  • Tell your team about any other symptoms.Cough, difficulty breathing, a rash, chest pain, confusion — say everything, even if it seems unrelated.
  • If going to hospital, bring your treatment summary and medicines list.Pack for an overnight stay in case you are admitted. Do not drive yourself if you feel unwell.

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Can I take paracetamol to bring the fever down before calling?

No. Taking a fever-reducing medicine before you call can lower your temperature and make the situation look less serious than it is. Your team needs to know your actual reading to decide how urgently you need to be seen. Call first. If your team then tells you to take something, take it — but do not take it before that conversation.

What if it is the middle of the night?

Call anyway. Fever during chemotherapy is never something to wait until morning on. Your oncology team has an out-of-hours number for exactly this situation. If you cannot find it, go directly to the nearest emergency department and tell them you are on chemotherapy. The infection can move faster than morning.

Will I definitely be admitted to hospital?

Not always, but go prepared for it. Fever on chemotherapy usually needs blood tests, and depending on the results your team may start treatment the same night. Some patients go home after a few hours; others stay longer. Bring your medicines list and enough for an overnight stay. The possibility of admission should never stop you from going.

How do I know if this is neutropenic fever?

You cannot tell from symptoms alone, and that is exactly why calling matters. Neutropenic fever — fever with a very low white blood cell count — looks like any other fever at the start. Blood tests taken at the hospital will show your team what your counts are and how to treat you. Your job is to report the fever; their job is to find the cause.

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