Reducing the Risk of Infection
- Stay away from people who are ill.
- Call the transplant nurse if you are exposed to any infectious diseases you have not had.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Call the transplant nurse if a cold sore or rash appears anywhere on the body.
- Call the transplant nurse if white patches develop in the back of the throat or if your tongue has a white coating.
Possible Complications
Complications of liver transplant can include bleeding, rejection, infection, and medication side effects. Rest assured that none of these marks the automatic end of a successful liver transplant.
Signs of Rejection
The body's normal response to anything foreign is to attack it and try to get rid of it. Most rejection episodes can be treated with medicine. If you notice any of the following, please call the transplant nurse immediately:
Signs of Infection
Anti-rejection drugs help your body the new liver, but make it less able to fight infection. Call your doctor immediately if you experience:
Signs of Rejection
The body's normal response to anything foreign is to attack it and try to get rid of it. Most rejection episodes can be treated with medicine. If you notice any of the following, please call the transplant nurse immediately:
- Fever (temperature of greater than 100.5 degrees F)
- Tenderness or pain in the transplanted liver. The liver may feel swollen or full.
- Stool that becomes light clay-colored
- General tiredness or illness (flu-like symptoms)
Signs of Infection
Anti-rejection drugs help your body the new liver, but make it less able to fight infection. Call your doctor immediately if you experience:
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing up phlegm that is not clear
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Burning sensation when urinating
- Fever of over 100.5 Farenheit
See box at left for ways to reduce your chance of infection.