Organ Rejection Signs and Symptoms

Your body's immune system protects you from foreign substances like bacteria, fungus, and viruses that can cause infection. Your immune system also recognizes your new transplanted organ as a foreign substance. You will take immunosuppressive medications to fool your body and prevent your immune system from attacking and destroying your new kidney. When your body's immune system attempts an attack against a transplanted organ, it is called rejection.

Rejection most often occurs in the first 3 months after transplant. This is why you will have frequent visits to the clinic with blood tests during the first three months.

You must learn the signs and symptoms of rejection. If you experience any of the following signs and symptoms, report them to your transplant team immediately.

Signs and symptoms of kidney or pancreas rejection:

• Fever
• Swelling of ankles/hands
• Fatigue/weakness
• Tenderness of kidney
• Decreased urine output
• Increase in weight gain