What could go wrong

There are two things you need to look out for:

• Although your immunosuppressive drugs will benefit you by preventing rejection of your kidney, they will also lower your resistance to infections such as urinary infection, chest infection, dental infection and skin infections such as an abscess.  Particularly in the first few months you will need to avoid contact with people who have infections such as colds and ‘flu’ try and, at any time, you should report to the Transplant Clinic if you think you might have an infection.  It is important you go on the right antibiotic as quickly as possible.

• There is an ongoing risk that your body could reject your kidney.  There is a delicate balance between taking enough immunosuppressive drugs to prevent rejection and taking too many that will reduce your resistance to infection to a dangerous level.  The Transplant team knows all about this and will steer you along the best path but you will need to look out for signs of rejection, which they will tell you about and report if you have any doubts.