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?
| Sign | What counts | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature reading | Any reading above your normal — even a modest rise | Call your oncology team immediately, day or night |
| Shaking chills or rigors | Even if you have not yet taken your temperature | Treat as fever — call now, go to emergency if told to |
| Other symptoms with the fever | Cough, breathing difficulty, rash, chest pain, confusion | Go to the emergency department — do not wait for a callback |
| Typically starts | Any point in the cycle — not only on the day after chemotherapy | Keep a thermometer at home throughout your entire treatment course |
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Not sure whether this counts as an emergency?
Call the helpline. It is always better to check than to wait.
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.
Explore 69 more Blood Counts, Infection, Fever & Emergencies topics
Fever During Chemotherapy
- A Printable Fever Action Plan
- Can You Wait Until Morning With a Fever?
- Fever After the Course Has Finished
- Fever During Chemotherapy: What to Do Right Now
- Fever When You Cannot Reach Your Team
- Fever With Chills and Rigors
- Fever With No Other Symptoms
- Fever in a Child on Chemotherapy
- How Long Will You Be Admitted for a Fever?
- Is 99, 100 or 101 Degrees an Emergency?
- Preventing Infection to Avoid Fever Episodes
- What to Carry to Hospital With a Fever
- What to Tell the Hospital When You Call
- Why Fever Is Treated as an Emergency
Blood Transfusion & Donor Arrangement
Emergencies & Red Flags
- A Printable Emergency Action Card
- Bleeding That Will Not Stop
- Breathlessness: When It Is an Emergency
- Chemotherapy Emergencies: The Complete Red-Flag List
- Chest Pain During Chemotherapy
- Confusion, Drowsiness or Fits
- Emergency Contacts: Who to Call and When
- Fever: The Number One Emergency
- Going to a Different Hospital in an Emergency
- Leg Swelling and Calf Pain
- Not Passing Urine or Passing Very Little
- Problems With Your Port or Line
- Severe Mouth Pain Stopping Fluids
- Severe Pain That Is Not Controlled
- Swelling of the Face, Lips or Throat
- Uncontrolled Vomiting or Diarrhoea
- What to Keep Ready at Home for an Emergency
- When to Call the Helpline vs Go Straight In
HUB — Low Blood Counts, Infection and Fever During Chemotherapy
Infection Prevention at Home
Low Platelets & Bleeding
- A Printable Bleeding Red-Flag Card
- Arranging Platelet Donors
- Bleeding Gums and Nosebleeds
- Bruising Easily During Chemotherapy
- Dental Work and Procedures With Low Platelets
- Everyday Precautions With Low Platelets
- Foods That Are Said to Raise Platelets
- Low Platelets During Chemotherapy
- Painkillers to Avoid When Platelets Are Low
- Platelet Transfusion: What to Expect
- What Platelet Count Is Dangerous?
Low White Cells, Neutropenia & Infection
- A Printable Neutropenia Safety Card
- Avoiding Infection During the Low-Count Days
- Bone Pain After Growth Factor Injections
- Can You Go Out When Your Counts Are Low?
- Foods That Are Said to Raise White Cells
- Getting to Hospital Fast From a District
- Growth Factor Injections to Raise Your Counts
- How to Take and Record a Temperature Properly
- Low White Cell Count During Chemotherapy
- Neutropenia in Children on Chemotherapy
- Neutropenic Fever: A Medical Emergency
- Preventive Antibiotics During Chemotherapy
- Recovering Counts Between Cycles
- Should You Take Paracetamol for a Fever?
- Signs of Infection to Watch For
- Understanding Your Blood Count Report
- Visitors When Your Counts Are Low
- What Happens When You Go In With Neutropenic Fever?
- What Is Neutropenia?
- What Is an Absolute Neutrophil Count?
- What Temperature Means You Must Go to Hospital?
- Which Days Are You Most at Risk of Infection?
Vaccination During & After Chemotherapy
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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.
Chemotherapy Topics
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