Infection Risk at a Scan Centre — What to Do When Your Counts Are Low

For most patients, yes — with precautions. A scan centre is a higher-risk environment than your own home, but it is not one you should automatically avoid. The steps that lower the risk most are wearing a mask, calling ahead so the centre can manage your visit, and keeping the time spent in shared areas as short as possible. If your oncology team has specifically told you to avoid clinical settings, follow that instruction and ask the centre to reschedule.

A well-fitted surgical mask is the minimum. Your oncology team may advise a higher-grade mask — such as an FFP2 or N95 — if your immune suppression is significant, so ask them directly when they review your blood results. Wear the mask from the moment you leave home, keep it on throughout the visit, and do not lower it in waiting areas or corridors.

Yes, and do it before the day of the scan. Call when you book or as soon as you know your counts are low. Tell them you are on chemotherapy and that your immune defences are reduced. Most centres can offer an early-morning slot with lower footfall, a quieter waiting area, or faster triage so your time in shared spaces is shorter. They cannot make those arrangements unless you tell them.

This is a clinical decision for your oncology team, not a number to calculate yourself. The right threshold depends on your cancer, your treatment, what the scan is for, and how your body has been responding. If your team has reviewed your recent blood results and told you to attend, go with precautions. If they have told you to avoid clinical settings, reschedule. Do not make this call without checking with your team first.

A very small one, and correct technique reduces it to near-zero. Sterile cannulas, clean skin preparation and single-use equipment are standard practice. If you notice redness, swelling or warmth at the cannula site after your scan, tell your oncology team the same day. In a patient with low blood counts, a local skin reaction needs prompt review rather than a wait-and-see approach.

Watch for fever, chills, shivering or feeling suddenly unwell in the days following your visit. In a patient on chemotherapy these can be signs of infection and they need same-day medical contact — do not wait to see if they settle on their own. Also watch the cannula site for redness or swelling. Your oncology team will have given you a number to call if you develop a fever; use it, and go to the emergency department if you cannot reach anyone quickly.

Yes, and you should. Early morning slots — before the main outpatient rush — tend to have lower footfall at most scan centres. Call the booking team, explain that you are on chemotherapy with reduced immunity, and ask whether an early or off-peak slot is available. This is a reasonable clinical request, and most centres will try to accommodate it when they know the reason.

Yes. If you need support to travel or are feeling unwell, one companion is sensible. Ask them to wear a mask for the full duration of the visit. Keep the group small — a larger number of people in a waiting area adds exposure rather than reducing it. If you are able to attend alone, that is also fine. The priority is that you arrive and return safely without spending longer than necessary in shared indoor spaces.