If your child is diagnosed with cancer, it may feel as though
you went to bed one night and woke up in an alternate universe.
Suddenly there are all these new words — oncology, chemotherapy,
radiation — not to mention a slew of new fears and emotions. Now
the doctor is saying your child's immune system isn't strong
enough for him or her to go to school or even visit family. If
that's the case, chances are it's because your child has
developed a condition called neutropenia. Neutropenia is when
the body has abnormally low levels of certain white blood cells
(called neutrophils), the body's main defense against infection.
Other problems with the immune system caused by the cancer and
its treatment vary among patients, but they also can be
important reasons to avoid crowds of people that may expose your
child to viruses. A Weakened Immune System When a germ enters
the body, a healthy immune system springs into action, sending
an army of neutrophils to the area to attack. The next time
those same germs enter the