Neutropenic Fever: — Go to Hospital Now
A temperature of 38°C or above during chemotherapy means one thing: go to the nearest emergency department now. This is not a symptom to watch at home. Neutropenic fever can become sepsis within hours.
Medically reviewed by Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · DM (Medical Oncology) · MD (Radiation Oncology) · Last reviewed September 2026
- 38°C means go now — A single temperature reading of 38°C or above during chemotherapy is an emergency. One reading is enough.
- Do not wait for morning — Neutropenic fever can progress to life-threatening sepsis within hours. Night-time is not a reason to delay.
- Do not manage it at home — Paracetamol will not treat what is wrong. Only hospital treatment can address the underlying risk.
- Tell them you are on chemotherapy — Say those words first at the emergency department. It changes how quickly you are seen and what treatment begins.
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A temperature of 38°C or above during chemotherapy is neutropenic fever — a medical emergency. NCCN and ASCO guidelines are unambiguous: go to the nearest emergency department now. Do not call ahead. Do not wait for morning. Without hospital treatment, neutropenic fever can become fatal within hours.
If a symptom below applies to you, do not wait for a callback. Call 1800-202-8726 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.
What temperature means I need to go to hospital during chemotherapy?
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Temperature 38°C or above — any single reading during chemotherapy | Go to the emergency department now. |
| Feeling cold, shivery or suddenly unwell before you have taken your temperature | Go to the emergency department now. Do not wait for the thermometer to confirm. |
| Below 38°C but you feel worse than usual or something does not seem right | Go to the emergency department. Do not wait to see whether the number rises. |
| Typically starts | Often 7 to 14 days after a chemotherapy cycle begins — when white cell counts are at their lowest. But neutropenic fever can occur at any point in the cycle or shortly after the last dose. |
What should I bring and tell the emergency department?
- Note your temperature reading before you leave.
- Bring your patient card or hospital registration number.
- Bring a list of your current medications, or take a photograph of them.
- Tell the triage nurse the moment you arrive: 'I am having chemotherapy and I may have neutropenic fever.'
- If someone is driving you, call your oncology centre from the car — they can alert the emergency team.
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Frequently asked questions
Why is a fever during chemotherapy more dangerous than a normal fever?
Chemotherapy reduces the number of white blood cells your body produces. Neutrophils are the cells that fight bacterial infection, and when their count is critically low, your body cannot stop even a minor infection from spreading. That infection can reach the bloodstream — causing sepsis — within hours. NCCN and ASCO classify neutropenic fever as an oncological emergency for this reason. The risk is not the fever itself but the near-absence of any immune defence while the infection spreads.
Can I take paracetamol and wait to see if the fever comes down?
No. Paracetamol may reduce the reading temporarily and create the false impression that it is safe to stay home. That delay is dangerous. The underlying problem — critically low neutrophil counts and an active infection — is not affected by paracetamol. Your team will manage the fever and the infection together, and that requires hospital treatment. Go to the emergency department first. Do not take paracetamol to decide whether to go.
What happens when I arrive at the emergency department?
Tell the triage nurse immediately that you are having chemotherapy and may have neutropenic fever. You should be assessed quickly rather than waiting in the general queue — NCCN and ASCO guidance treats this as time-critical. A blood test will confirm whether your neutrophil count is low. Your team will look for the source of the infection and begin treatment without waiting for every result.
My temperature is just below 38°C. Do I still need to go?
If you feel cold, shivery or unwell alongside that reading, go now — the next measurement may already be higher, and feeling unwell is itself a warning sign. If you are unsure whether it is serious enough, go anyway. A hospital visit that turns out to be unnecessary is far safer than staying home when treatment was needed. Do not wait for the number to reach 38°C if you already feel worse than usual.
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