6 Tips to Help Prevent Infections if You Have Mantle Cell Lymphoma

There are steps you can take to lower your risk of infection and stay as healthy as possible.

1. Practice Good Hand Hygiene

Handwashing is one of the best ways to prevent infection. “I always tell patients to wash their hands as often as possible because that's one of the main ways that germs spread,” says Brad Kahl, MD, a hematologist-oncologist at Washington University in St. Louis.

Scrub your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before eating, after using the bathroom, and when returning home from a public place.

2. Get Vaccinated

• Flu
• COVID‑19
• Pneumococcal
• Shingles
• RSV, Tdap, hepatitis B, meningococcal, and HPV

• Flu nasal spray
• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
• Varicella (chickenpox)
• Rotavirus
• Small pox
• Yellow fever
• Oral typhoid

3. Avoid Crowded Areas

For everyday errands, try going out during quieter times of the day, like early mornings and weekdays. You can also utilize curbside pickup, delivery services, and online shopping to avoid large crowds.

You don’t have to hole up inside your home, though. “Social interaction is very important for some people’s mental health,” says Dr. Kahl. “Just do little things to try to minimize your risk.”

4. Follow Safe Food Practices

• Wash your hands before and after handling food.
• Clean surfaces before preparing meals.
• Wash produce thoroughly.
• Keep raw and cooked foods separate.
• Cook meat to the recommended temperature.
• Refrigerate food within two hours.

• Raw or undercooked meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs
• Unpasteurized juices and dairy products
• Raw sprouts
• Deli meats (unless reheated)
• Unwashed fresh fruits and vegetables

When eating out, choose restaurants with strong health‑inspection grades. Avoid buffets and salad bars where food may sit out for long periods of time.

5. Protect Your Skin and Mouth

The lining in your skin and mouth acts as a protective barrier to keep germs out of your body. When this line of defense is damaged through cancer or treatments, germs can get in more easily and cause infection. Fortunately, you can maintain a few easy habits to help protect these important barriers.

It’s also important to monitor any wounds as they heal. "If you have a wound, watch for any redness, swelling, or drainage," says Maria Badillo, RN, of MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. "These are signs of infection that need to be reported to your oncologist so it can be taken care of right away."

6. Know the Signs of an Infection

Because MCL and its treatments weaken the immune system, a minor infection can become serious if it’s not caught quickly. "I tell patients to have a low threshold for calling us if they have any signs or symptoms of an infection,” says Kahl. “You shouldn’t wait to see if a symptom is a serious issue or not.”

• Fever of 100.4 degrees F (38.0 degrees C) or higher
• Skin that is red, swollen, or tender
• Chills or shaking
• Sweating more than usual
• Diarrhea
• Cough or sore throat
• A burning feeling when you urinate
• Unusual vaginal discharge or itching
• Stomach pain
• Bleeding gums or white patches in the mouth

“You should not treat your symptoms at home,” says Badillo. “Fever-reducing medicines like Tylenol can lower your temperature and make it harder for your doctor to detect an infection.” You should also avoid using home remedies to treat infection until you talk to your doctor, since some may be unsafe.

The Takeaway

• People with mantle cell lymphoma can have an increased risk of infection; this is because both the disease itself and its treatments can weaken the immune system, making it harder to fight germs.
• You can lower your risk of infection by practicing good hand hygiene, staying up to date on vaccines, avoiding crowds, handling food safely, and protecting your skin.
• If you notice any signs of infection, call your doctor right away. Early attention can prevent a minor issue from becoming serious.