Fever in Hematology Patients with PICC Lines or Ports

Any child with a PICC line or subcutaneous port is at risk for a central line associated bloodstream infection, or CLABSI. This kind of infection can be serious. One sign of infection is fever. If your child is a hematology patient, it is important to know what to do in case of fever.

Learn how to take a temperature.

Check for a fever if the area around the PICC line or subcutaneous port is swollen, red, oozing, or warm to the touch. If any of these signs is present, check your child’s temperature and call St. Jude, even if your child does not have a fever.

If you do not see any of the problems listed above, you do not have to check your child’s temperature often.

When to seek medical care for fever

If your child has an oral (by mouth) temperature of 100.4°F (38.0°C) or higher, seek medical care right away.

If your child has a fever while in Memphis

If your child has fever while in Memphis, call St. Jude right away.

Do not give your child fever-reducing medicine unless your child’s care team tells you to do so.

If your child has a fever at home

If you are away from Memphis and your child has a fever, go to the nearest emergency room.

Tell care providers that your child:

• Is a St. Jude patient
• Has a PICC line or subcutaneous port
  
• Will need blood samples taken—one from the PICC or subcutaneous port and one from a vein

If your child has a bleeding disorder, tell care providers about it before they take blood samples for testing.

Do not give your child fever-reducing medicine before going to the emergency room unless your child’s care team tells you to do so.

If you go to a doctor or hospital other than St. Jude

• Call your child’s St. Jude nurse case manager during normal business hours. Let them know about your child’s condition
• If you are outside the Memphis area, dial toll-free 1-866-278-5833. Ask to speak with your child’s nurse case manager.