Preventing Infection after Transplant

Preventing Infection after Transplant

 

The medicines you take to prevent organ rejection make it harder for your body to fight infections. If you have any signs of infection, call your doctor and Transplant Coordinator to get treatment started as soon as possible. Some infections may require hospital treatment.

 

Ways to prevent infection

  • Practice good hygiene. Shower or bathe and wash your hair each day.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Be sure to wash after sneezing, coughing, using the toilet, before and after handling food and any time your hands are dirty.
  • Do not eat food or consume drinks prepared from unpasteurized milk, fruit or vegetable juices. Avoid eating raw or under cooked eggs, meat, poultry, fish or seafood, as well as soft cheeses like feta, Brie or Camembert.
  • Avoid use of well water if possible, and do not swim in or drink water from freshwater lakes, rivers or pools.
  • Take care of cuts, sores and scratches. Clean any cut or scratch with soap and water or an antiseptic like hydrogen peroxide. Keep the site clean and dry by covering it with a band-aid or other dressing.
  • Stay away from sick people. Be very careful around any children who may be sick.
  • Avoid gardening, construction dust and working in soil during the first 6 months after transplant. Wear gloves and a mask for gardening. Ideally use an FDA approved N-95 mask. These can be purchased in any hardware or household goods store. Remove houseplants since the dirt can carry molds.
  • Have someone clean up after pets in the home, such as a dog or cat. Do not clean the litter box or fish tanks. Birds, reptiles, amphibians and small rodents, such as mice, gerbils and hamsters carry many germs that can be life threatening to someone with a transplant. You may need to find a new home for them. Talk to your Transplant Coordinator to be sure it is safe for you to have any pet around.
  • Avoid crowds for the first month after transplant as much as possible. You may be told to wear a simple face mask during your first 6 months after transplant when you need to come to the hospital or be in large crowds, especially during cold and flu season.
  • If you plan to travel outside of the country, talk to your Transplant Coordinator to get the vaccines and medicines you need to prevent infections.

 

© 2007 – July 17, 2019, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or healthcare team if you have any questions about your care. For more health information, call the Library for Health Information at 614-293-3707 or email: health-info@osu.edu.