As mentioned earlier, staying vigilant to avoid infection during your first 30 days post-transplant is crucial, as this is when you have virtually no immune system and are building it back. This is serious and should not be taken lightly. 

• Avoid anyone who is sick or who has been in contact with a sick person.
• Teach and enforce good hand hygiene to all family members.
• Reinforce strict hand hygiene with children and avoid face-to-face contact. Wear a mask when in direct face-to-face contact with children.
• No direct care of pets. No cleaning up excrement or sleeping in the same bed as animals.
• Wash your hands after petting animals.
• No direct care of plants. Keep indoor plants segregated into separate rooms.
• Stay away from large crowds. Your caregiver plays a crucial role by handling errands like grocery shopping, allowing you to avoid public settings for several weeks.
• Avoid areas such as dirty basements and crawl spaces, as they have a high risk for mold and spores.
• Wear an N95 mask outdoors and in public places.
• Balance getting rest with keeping active.
• Consult your physician and discharge nurse about when it will be safe to resume sexual activity.
• Drink lots of fluids.
• Maintain a safe and healthy diet.

You will have clinic visits several times a week, as directed by the clinic staff. The frequency of visits and treatment will depend on your lab results. Remember, you will be treated each day according to your lab results. For example, if your platelet count is low, you will be sent for an infusion for a platelet transfusion.

Concerning Symptoms to Report Immediately 

The following signs and symptoms should be reported to the transplant team immediately, especially during the first thirty days. 

• Fever of 100.4 or higher, shaking, chills
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that lasts more than 24 hours
• Bleeding
• Symptoms of a cold
• Changes in the level of consciousness
• Pain or cramping
• Problems with the catheter
• Skin rashes
• Changes in vision
• Indigestion
• Pain with urination or difficulty urinating