Treatments

Transplant-Related Infections Treatments

After a transplant, you must strike a delicate balance between preventing organ rejection and your body’s ability to fight infection. Your immunosuppressant drugs may make fighting infection more difficult, but your physician can help you find the right balance to prevent serious infection.

If infections are mild, you will likely receive antibiotic, antiviral or antifungal medications. If the infection is more serious, your physician may reduce your anti-rejection medication temporarily to allow your body to aid in fighting the infection.

Preventive treatments

To make sure you are as healthy as possible after the transplant, you may be asked to have the appropriate vaccinations available to you before your surgery, including:

• Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Pertussis
• Pneumonia
• Hepatitis A and B
• Annual flu vaccines

You will be asked to have all necessary dental work done before the transplant as well.

If you are traveling overseas, talk to your physician or a travel medicine specialist before getting vaccines for travel-related infections.