The immune system is a complex collection of tissue, organs and cells within the body, which work to prevent or deal with an infection. A healthy immune system will fight off infections such as bacteria and viruses. Symptoms such as a runny nose or a slightly raised temperature in a healthy person are signs that the immune system is working well and the infection is being dealt with.

Cancer treatments can affect a person’s immune system and make them more prone to infection. This is especially true of chemotherapy. A person undergoing cancer treatment should take any signs of possible infection seriously and get them checked out and treated immediately. They include a raised temperature, redness or swelling of one area of the body, swollen glands or flu-like symptoms. Some complementary and alternative medicines or foods may be helpful in strengthening the immune system.