Having tests or surgery
If you are going to hospital for a procedure such as tests or surgery, you may need to do a coronavirus test before you go into hospital. You and people you live with may also need to self-isolate beforehand. The hospital should give you more information about this. Your treatment might be delayed if you have coronavirus. If this happens, talk to the medical team about rearranging your appointment.
You must wear a face covering when you go to the hospital.
If you need to stay in hospital, there may be a limit to how many visitors you can have. You can check this on the hospital’s website. This is to help reduce the risk of coronavirus. It is a good idea to take a mobile phone or tablet and charger with you, so that you can talk to family and friends while you’re in hospital. Visitors will need to wear a face covering at the hospital.
After you have had your test or treatment, the doctor or nurse should explain what to do if you get symptoms of coronavirus after leaving hospital. They will also explain about any further care you might need.
Having chemotherapy
If you are having chemotherapy, you are at higher risk of getting seriously unwell from coronavirus. The medical team will take precautions to reduce the risk of you catching coronavirus. For example, they will only ask you to come to the hospital when necessary, and you may need to take a coronavirus test before your appointment. If you haven’t yet had the vaccine, your doctor may advise you to have it.
Read more about things you can go do to protect yourself from coronavirus.
Chemotherapy and infections
If you are having chemotherapy, you are at higher risk of getting any infection, not just coronavirus. This means that it may not be clear whether symptoms are coronavirus or another infection. Read more about infections and chemotherapy.
Your chemotherapy team should give you a 24 hour emergency number to call if you are unwell or have symptoms of an infection. They will check whether you have coronavirus or another infection, and the treatment you need. You may not necessarily have the standard symptoms of coronavirus. For example, not everyone will feel hot – some people with a very high temperature will feel cold and shivery.
Your chemotherapy may be changed to try to reduce the chance of you getting an infection such as coronavirus. For example, your chemotherapy might be delayed, you might have a break in your chemotherapy, or you might have a different chemotherapy drug or combination of drugs. Decisions about any changes will be specific to your own situation, so talk to your doctor about any changes, and the risks and benefits of these.