Liver transplant rejection can cause symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, fatigue, and discolored skin and urine. Even mild symptoms should not be ignored, and patients should seek medical attention immediately. Regular monitoring and anti-rejection drugs are necessary to prevent rejection.
Transplant and liver transplant patients may suffer complications if the transplanted organ is rejected by the body. Although doctors try to match donors and recipients based on tissue and cell type, rejections can still occur when the immune system identifies the transplanted tissue as foreign. Some common symptoms of liver transplant rejection include fever, abdominal pain or bloating, irritability, fatigue, discolored skin, and discolored urine. While many of these symptoms are mild and often part of the recovery and adjustment process, prolonged or more extreme symptoms can indicate rejection. Patients suffering from rejection symptoms should consult a doctor immediately.
The less extreme symptoms of rejection — such as fever, burnout, moodiness, headache, and itching — can also be caused by other conditions, but shouldn’t be ignored, especially if they persist longer than expected. If you have a fever, a temperature above 100°C (37.7°F) is a strong sign of tissue rejection, although even a small increase in body temperature can indicate a problem. Pain, soreness and swelling of the tissue in the abdominal area can be caused by post-surgical bruising or infection, but it could also mean tissue rejection. If two or more of these symptoms occur in tandem, they can be just as solid an indicator of transplant rejection as more serious side effects.
More distinct reactions may include clay-colored stools, jaundice, and brown urine. These signs are less easily mistaken for other disorders and point more definitely towards liver transplant rejection. As the liver processes toxins in the body, discolored skin, stool, and urine usually indicate improper liver function or failure. Regular liver function tests can also detect early or late-stage graft failure.
Some patients have no symptoms of liver transplant rejection until the transplant fails. These people are often at higher risk of serious side effects because they lack early warning signs. Liver transplant patients, even those who appear to be recovering well, should be monitored closely for any signs of sudden failure or rejection and should receive emergency care immediately if the transplant fails.
Anti-rejection drugs are usually prescribed to help the patient’s body adjust to the presence of foreign tissue. Many transplant patients must maintain a drug regimen for the rest of their lives to prevent late stage tissue rejection. While the drug is often successful, in some cases the patient’s body builds a tolerance over time and may still reject the transplanted liver after months or years without incident. Regular monitoring and medical care are required to ensure proper liver function and prevent subsequent liver transplant rejection.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
