Sharing spaces after chemo: What to know

How long does chemotherapy stay in the body?

Chemotherapy works by killing rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells. It is used to control cancer’s growth and spread, and to reduce its symptoms.

After you receive chemotherapy, your body eliminates it through fluids. Small amounts of chemotherapy may be present in bodily fluids, including:

• Blood
• Feces
• Saliva
• Semen
• Sweat
• Urine
• Vaginal fluid
• Vomit

Your bodily fluid can still contain traces of chemotherapy 48 to 72 hours after treatment. However, the timeframe that chemotherapy is present in your bodily fluids and the risk this may pose to others depends on the chemotherapy type. It is best to talk to your care team about the specific type of chemotherapy.

RELATED: 10 things to avoid while receiving chemotherapy

What are the risks of being exposed to bodily fluids that contain chemotherapy?

The short answer is that we do not know the long-term risks or effects of being exposed to bodily fluids that contain chemotherapy.

The risks of limited exposure to bodily fluids that contain chemotherapy also aren’t well known. While this research is very limited, caregivers who have short-term exposure to chemotherapy can develop dizziness, allergic reactions and rashes.

In rare cases, semen that contains some types of chemotherapy may cause birth defects or miscarriage. However, more research into getting pregnant by a partner who is receiving chemotherapy is needed. MD Anderson’s Oncofertility Program can answer questions and provide support on topics including fertility and getting pregnant during and after cancer treatment.

How can household members protect themselves from chemotherapy exposure?

We usually recommend household members and caregivers take precautions to avoid being exposed to bodily fluids that could contain chemotherapy for at least two days after chemotherapy treatment.

These precautions include:

• Wear disposable gloves when touching any items or surfaces exposed to bodily fluids.
• Wash your hands after touching anything that may contain bodily fluids or after removing disposable gloves.
• Clean spilled bodily fluids immediately.
• Close the toilet when flushing to avoid spraying toilet water.
• Do separate loads of laundry for contaminated items.

Remember, children or pregnant individuals should not handle materials exposed to bodily fluids that may contain chemotherapy.

Is it safe to touch someone who recently received chemotherapy?

Yes. It is OK to embrace or show affection to your loved one in the days after they receive chemotherapy. Kissing is safe, too — even if you are taking oral chemotherapy.

Is it safe to share a toilet during chemo?

Yes. It is fine to share a toilet with someone who is receiving chemotherapy.

If you are on chemotherapy, take the following precautions to protect anyone you share a bathroom with from being exposed to your bodily fluids.

• If any bodily fluid gets on the toilet, clean it using a bleach wipe.
• Men may consider urinating sitting down to avoid splashing.
• When you're done using the bathroom, close the toilet lid before flushing.

How should I do laundry during chemo?

When doing laundry during chemotherapy, consider these tips.

• Wear gloves while handling laundry items that may have been exposed to the bodily fluids of the person receiving chemotherapy.
• Do separate loads of laundry for clothing and linens used by the person receiving chemo. This helps avoid spreading contaminants to other household members.
• Use warm or hot water when doing laundry.

How should I dispose of items that were exposed to chemotherapy?

When you throw away items containing or exposed to bodily fluids that may include chemotherapy, make sure they are wrapped well. The person taking out the trash should wear gloves.

Need to dispose of unused or expired chemotherapy medications? Throwing cancer medicine in the trash or even bringing it to an authorized medication take-back location isn’t always the best practice. That’s why you should always ask your care team what they recommend.

RELATED: Medication disposal: How to get rid of unused or expired medicine

Is it safe to share a bed with someone after chemo?

For the most part, yes. However, there are some cases when it might make sense for partners to sleep separately, such as if the person receiving chemotherapy sweats a lot or gets saliva or vomitus on the bedding. Then, take care to wash the bedding thoroughly.

Is it safe to have sex with a partner who recently had chemotherapy?

For sexual activity while on some chemotherapies, we recommend using a barrier method like a condom or dental dam to limit the transmission of bodily fluids. Talk to your care team to confirm specific precautions to take in your situation.

Adaeze Iheme, M.D., is a breast medical oncologist in MD Anderson’s General Oncology department.

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