As a transplant recipient, you are probably familiar with the topic of transplant rejection. It’s the body’s natural reaction or immune system’s response to “foreign invasion.”
• A properly functioning immune system will try to reject or destroy your new solid organ and/or bone marrow transplant—in the same way that your immune system works to clear infection from your body.
• Because of this natural rejection possibility, it’s common for transplant recipients to take medications to keep rejection from happening. These drugs are called immunosuppressive medications because they suppress your immune system to keep it from attacking, or rejecting,your transplanted organ or bone marrow. Over the past few decades, substantial progress has been made in the development of these drugs that help prevent you from experiencing a transplant rejection.
• Immunosuppressive medications are important, as they can protect your transplanted solid organ and/or bone marrow. But a side effect of these
immunosuppressants is that they leave you more susceptible to developing infections—like those that can be brought on by diseasecausing bacteria and other pathogens that cause foodborne illness.
• Because you are a transplant recipient, you are more likely to have a lengthier illness, undergo hospitalization, or even die, should you contract a foodborne illness.
• To avoid contracting a foodborne illness, you must be especially vigilant when handling, preparing, and consuming foods.
