Question

1. Melanie, a breast cancer patient receiving chemotherapy, comes into your office for her normal treatment. Upon examination, it is revealed that Melanie is experiencing flulike symptoms. The physician asks you to order a CBC. What results might you expect for a patient with Melanie’s characteristics, and why? Why might Melanie be experiencing flulike symptoms?

2. What is serology and what are some of its practical uses to medicine?

Answer 1

Q1. Flu-like symptoms include

*sudden onset of fever

*chills

*muscle/joint ache

*headache

*poor apetite

*nausea

*vomiting

*diarrhea

*runny nose

*cough

*fatigue

flu like symptoms are usually Assosiated with heamatological cancer.

but in some cases chemotherapy drugs also causes these symptoms, since the patient is receiving chemotherapy that might be the reason. Other breast cancer treatment such as hormonal therapy with evista and faslodex also causes the same. What more several painmedication such as ibuprofen and morphine can also cause flu like symptoms.

a cbc test can confirm whether these symptoms are associated with or without haematological cancer. the wbc count will be elevated.

Q2. Serology and practical uses

serology is the scientific study of blood serum especially with regard to the response of the immune system to pathogens or introduced substances.

serology is important because;

*it is helpful to know about immune system

*a normal test result means your body produces antibodies in response to antigens

*serology testing can also diagnose multiple illnesses:

brucellosis

amebiasis

measles

rubella

HIV

HbsAg

syphilis

​​​​​​fungal infections

as a health worker you need to know the serology of the patient (such as HIV) results , so that you can take proper protection .