Bacterial infections: If a wound (including the incision site) has drainage and is tender, red and swollen, it may be infected by bacteria. The patient may or may not have a fever. A wound culture (test for the organism) will be obtained and appropriate antibiotics given.
Fungal infections: Candida (yeast) is an infection that may affect the mouth, esophagus, vaginal areas or bloodstream. In the mouth, the yeast appears white, often on the tongue as a patchy area. It may spread to the esophagus and interfere with swallowing. In the vagina, a white discharge that looks like cottage cheese may be present. To identify yeast in the blood, the doctor will obtain blood cultures if the person has a fever. Other infections: Pneumocystis carinii is similar to a fungus and may cause pneumonia. The patient may have a mild, dry cough and a fever. This infection is prevented with sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, also known as SMX-TMP (Bactrim, Septra). If the patient develops this infection, it may be necessary to give higher doses or intravenous antibiotics. Infection of the T-tube site: This tube drains bile to the outside of the body into a bile bag. Not all patients require such a tube. The site may become infected. This can be recognized if the patient notices warmth around the T-tube site, redness of the skin around the site or discharge from the site. _ |
Cytomegalovirus (CMV): This is one
of the most common infections affecting transplant recipients and most often
develops in the first months after transplantation. Symptoms include excessive
tiredness, high temperature, aching joints, headaches, abdominal problems,
visual changes and pneumonia.
Herpes simplex viruses (types I and II): These viruses most commonly infect the skin but may occur in the eyes and lungs. Type I causes painful, fluid-filled blisters around the mouth, and type II causes blisters in the genital area. Women may have an unusual vaginal discharge. Herpes Zoster virus (shingles): This is a herpes virus that is a reactivated form of chicken pox. The virus appears as a wide pattern of blisters almost anywhere on the body. The rash is often painful and causes a burning sensation. |