>> Rejection is the normal response
of the body's immune system, to protect you from infection.
Rejection is basically inflammation.
It happens when your body recognizes your new organ as foreign, and tries to destroy it.
It can be scary to hear that you have rejection.
However, it is important to remember that almost everyone will encounter this complication.
In spite of all precautions, an acute rejection episode is very common
in the first year after transplant.
Keep in mind that your immune system is just trying to protect you.
When this happens, your transplanted organ becomes puffy with fluid,
and some of the tissue can be injured.
You may experience some shortness of breath, or not have any symptoms at all.
If the injury becomes too great, your transplanted organ won't work properly.
Most episodes of acute rejection can be successful reversed
with early detection and special medications.
Some things that can lead to the development of rejection include previous episodes
of rejection, patient non-compliance with medications --
not taking correctly or not taking at all, and infection.
Signs and symptoms of rejection are similar to signs of an infection.
They include increased shortness of breath, cough, fatigue or tiredness,
fever of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, chills, muscle aches,
flu-like symptoms, not feeling right.
Keep in mind that while you may have one or more of these symptoms,
often people do not experience any symptoms whatsoever.
This does not mean that your rejection is any less severe.
All rejections should be taken seriously.
Notify your transplant coordinator immediately if you have any of these symptoms.
Now that you are immunosuppressed, it is vital
that you pay close attention to your body when you go home.
You should contact your transplant coordinator if you note any of the following signs
of infection -- increased redness, drainage, or tenderness of your incisions,
a temperature exceeding 100 degree Fahrenheit by mouth, or a persistent low-grade temperature 99
to 100 degrees Fahrenheit for more than three days, a new cough lasting more than two days,
increasing shortness of breath, or burning when you urinate,
or feeling the need to urinate frequently.
There are several different causes of infection -- bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic.
All of these are very dangerous, and should be avoided.
There are specific drugs to treat each type of infection.
You will learn more about these in your lung transplant class.
You should check with your post-transplant coordinator before receiving any vaccinations
or immunizations.
Vaccines made with live viruses pose a risk, because the viruses can be transmitted to you.
Before you have any dental work done, or any type of medical procedure,
where a device is inserted into your mouth, throat, lungs, esophagus,
or genital urinary tract, you should be taking antibiotics to prevent infection.
There are things all around you that can make you very sick.
You must take proper precautions to guard against infection.
Proper hand washing, avoiding improperly cooked or stored food, avoiding cat litter boxes,
wearing a mask and gloves when gardening can also help minimize your risk of infection.
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