What are the warning signs of possible rejection?

What are the warning signs of possible rejection?

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your transplant coordinator immediately:

• Fever over 100°F (38°C)
• "Flu-like" symptoms: chills, aches, headache, dizziness, nausea and/or vomiting
• Chest congestion
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• New pain or tenderness around the lung
• Fatigue or generally feeling "lousy"

How is rejection identified?

The transplant team will be able to determine if your body is rejecting your new lung by completing daily tests of pulmonary function during your hospital stay. If the team thinks you might be experiencing any problems with your new lung, the following tests might be completed:

• Repeated blood work including a complete blood count
• Bronchoscopy
• Lung biopsy and surveillance bronchoscopy — These tests are performed routinely as part of your follow-up care (at three weeks, six weeks, three months, six months, nine months, and one year after transplant surgery)

How is rejection treated?

If rejection develops, your doctor will prescribe medicine to treat rejection and prevent continued complications. In order to control the rejection, you might need to be admitted to the hospital, or you might receive care in an outpatient setting.

Will rejection treatment cause side effects?

The medicines used to treat a lung rejection episode are strong drugs. The first few doses might cause the following side effects:

• Fever, chills
• Headaches
• Nausea, vomiting
• Weakness
• Diarrhea
• General flu-like symptoms