Fever in Patients with Neutropenia

To the Editor: Pizzo (May 6 issue)¹ recommends careful handwashing before one has any contact with a febrile patient with neutropenia. In a previous review² he stated that it seemed reasonable to restrict such patients to a cooked-food diet in order to minimize the acquisition of potential pathogens from uncooked fruits and vegetables. Does he still think that a cooked-food diet is indicated? Similarly, should cut flowers be banned from the room of a patient with neutropenia if the sterility of the water in the flower vase cannot be ensured? To the Editor: In Table 3 of his article, Pizzo…