About this topic
Rejection can happen after any kind of transplant. Rejection is your immune systems way of trying to protect your body from the donated organ or tissue. Rejection can happen soon after a transplant, or months or years later. As time goes on, your chance of rejection lowers but never goes away. ‚
What are the causes?
Your immune system protects you from illnesses. After a transplant, your immune system sees the donated organ or tissue as not matching the rest of your body. You take anti-rejection drugs to keep your immune system from attacking the transplanted organ or tissue. You may still have rejection even if you have been taking your drugs as ordered. ‚
What can make this more likely to happen?
- The closer the donor cells match your cells, the lower your chance for rejection. This means you are at a lower chance of rejection if your organ or tissue came from a twin or family member.
- Your chances for rejection are higher if you do not take all of your drugs as ordered.
What are the main signs?
Many people have at least one time of rejection the first year after their transplant. Rejection can be acute or chronic. Acute rejection can lead to chronic rejection. You may or may not have any signs. ‚
- Acute rejection
- Fever and chills
- Pain at transplant site
- Upset stomach and throwing up
- Loose stools
- Headache and body aches
- Feeling dizzy
- Less urine
- Weight gain and swelling
- High blood sugar
- Chronic rejection
- Starts weeks, months, or years after a transplant
- May cause slow loss of organ function
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your doctor will ask you questions and do an exam. Your doctor may order: ‚
- Lab tests
- X-rays
- Organ biopsy
- Tests to check how well your transplanted organ is working. These may be things like lung function tests or an EKG.
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Prevent infection
- Suppress the immune system
Antibodies in your blood may be attacking your transplanted organ. If so, your doctor may order a special kind of blood filtering called plasmapheresis to help get rid of them. ‚
Will there be any other care needed?
You are at a high risk for an infection after a transplant, especially if you are having problems with rejection. Talk with your doctor about things you can do to keep yourself healthy. ‚
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol based hand sanitizers also work to kill germs.
- If you are sick, cover your mouth and nose with tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw away tissues in the trash and wash your hands after touching used tissues. You can also cough into your elbow.
- Avoid getting too close (kissing, hugging) to people who are sick.
- Avoid sharing personal items. Use disinfectant to clean things like door handles, remotes, toys, and phones.
- Brush and floss your teeth each day.
- Avoid going to crowded places like shopping centers or grocery stores. Wear a mask over your nose and mouth when in crowded places.
- Get a flu shot each year. Family members should also get a flu shot.
- Avoid the sun. Wear clothes that will cover your arms and legs if you must go out when it is sunny. Use at least SPF 30 sunscreen on your skin.
- Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke.
- Your doctor may want you to avoid certain foods after your transplant. Talk with your doctor about which foods to avoid.
Where can I learn more?
United Network for Organ Sharing ‚
http://www.transplantliving.org/after-the-transplant/staying-healthy/preventing-rejection/ ‚
Last Reviewed Date
2015-12-09 ‚
List_set bdysylist
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider 's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved. ‚