Posted 2 months ago
Flu Information for Cancer Patients 2025
Flu Season 2025: Cases are on the Rise
The flu season of 2025 is proving to be particularly challenging, with the CDC estimating that 24 million people have tested positive for the flu so far this season. In Arizona alone, there have been 47,000 confirmed cases for the 2024/25 season.
Importance for Cancer Patients
Cancer patients undergoing treatment often have weakened immune systems, making them more susceptible to infections like the flu. It’s crucial for these individuals to take extra precautions to protect themselves.
Precautionary Steps
Wash Your Hands: Wash hands well and often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Ensure friends and family, especially kids, know the importance of hand-washing.
Avoid Touching Your Face: Keep hands away from eyes, nose, and mouth to prevent germs from entering the body.
Cover Your Coughs and Sneezes: Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow. Wash hands immediately after.
Clean Surfaces: Regularly clean often-touched surfaces to prevent the spread of infection.
Avoid Crowds: The flu spreads easily in crowded places like child care centers, schools, office buildings, auditoriums, and public transportation. Avoiding crowds during peak flu season lowers the chances of infection.
Flu Vaccine
Strong Recommendation: Everyone 6 months of age and older should get vaccinated for influenza.
Updated Vaccine: The trivalent vaccine for this season offers protection against three different types of influenza.
Taking these precautions can help cancer patients stay safe during the flu season. Stay informed and stay healthy!
When to See Your Doctor
Trouble Breathing or Chest Pain: Seek medical attention if you have difficulty breathing or chest pain.
Persistent Fever: If your fever doesn’t improve, it might indicate another infection.
Severe Vomiting: If you can’t keep anything down, you may need medical help to stay hydrated.
Severe Sore Throat: If it hurts significantly to swallow, it could be a sign of a more serious infection.
Persistent Cough: A cough that doesn’t go away could be due to postnasal drip, asthma, or other conditions.
Symptoms Lasting More Than Two Weeks: If you don’t feel better after two weeks or if symptoms improve and then worsen again, see your doctor.
By following these guidelines, cancer patients can better protect themselves during this challenging flu season. Stay safe and take care!
Azam Farooqui, MD
Medical Oncologist, Lung, Head and Neck Specialist
Azam Farooqui, MD joined Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers in August 2020. He obtained his medical degree from Rush University in Chicago, Illinois and completed his Internal Medicine training at Indiana University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Following residency, he completed his fellowship in Hematology & Medical Oncology at Saint Louis University in Saint Louis, Missouri.
Dr. Farooqui specializes in lung, head & neck malignancies and hematologic disorders. He is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology as well as the American Society of Hematology. He is also a member of the ASH Grassroots Network which focuses effort on affecting healthcare policy for patients with hematologic conditions. He has participated in the ASH Advocacy Leadership Institute and traveled to Capitol Hill in Washington, DC to advocate for patients. He is also invested in education and is currently the subspecialty coordinator of Hematology/Oncology for the new Dignity Health Internal Medicine Residency Program in the East Valley. He is at present an investigator in research trials.
Dr. Farooqui is committed to providing personalized and innovative care to his patients. He especially enjoys getting to know his patients on a personal level to better align himself with their treatment goals and expectations. He has been selected by his professional peers as a Top Doc in PHOENIX Magazine. He is married to his wife who is a Gastroenterologist, and they have two daughters and an Australian Shepherd. Dr. Farooqui accepts patients at our Chandler office.