Chemotherapy lowers immunity, ups Covid infection risk: Experts
Thu, Feb 4 2021 16:42 IST |
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Cancer.. Image Source: IANS News
New Delhi, Feb 4 : The impact of the pandemic has been disastrous for many, including cancer patients, as health experts on Thursday stressed that chemotherapy treatment decreases the immunity level of the patient by lowering white blood cells (WBC) count, which makes the patient more susceptible to infection from Covid-19.
According to experts, immunity plays a strong role in coping with such viruses or diseases as it produces antibodies to kill pathogens. Chemotherapy process decreases the immunity level of the patient by lowering white blood cells count. And with low white blood cells count severe infection can affect the patient more severely and add to the challenges, Deni Gupta, Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, Narayana Hospital Gurugram, told IANS on the occasion of World Cancer Day that is observed on February 4.