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🩺 Bone Marrow Transplant Patient Guide: Post-Transplant Care
Bone Marrow Transplant Care
This guide is designed for patients and their families at Başkent University Adana Adult Bone Marrow Transplant Center. It provides essential information for post-transplant care, preventing complications, and supporting full recovery.
1️⃣ Understanding Your Recovery After Bone Marrow Transplant 🌟
After your bone marrow transplant (BMT), your immune system is weakened. Even if your white blood cell count appears normal, immunity recovery takes 6–12 months.
- Autologous BMT: Your own cells
- Allogeneic BMT: Donor cells from sibling or unrelated donor
Patients must continue strict hygiene, dietary, and lifestyle measures at home.
2️⃣ Infection Risks & Monitoring 🦠
Common Post-Transplant Infections by Month
| Month | Common Infections |
|---|---|
| 1 | Bacterial, fungal, Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) |
| 2 | Cytomegalovirus (CMV), other viruses, bacteria, fungi |
| 3 | Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), bacteria, fungi |
Allogeneic patients, especially those with Graft-versus-Host Disease (GvHD), are at higher risk.
Fever Monitoring:
🌡️ Check your temperature twice daily
- Alert your doctor if fever exceeds 38°C for autologous or 37.8°C for allogeneic
3️⃣ Home Environment & Room Preparation 🏡
- Separate, clean room for patient
- Avoid thick carpets, velvet curtains, and dusty surfaces
- Maintain proper room temperature and ventilation
- Keep patient away from construction, soil, or dusty areas
4️⃣ Clothing & Personal Hygiene 👕
- Prefer cotton clothing
- Wash new clothes before wearing
- Iron underwear
- Avoid velvet or plush fabrics
- Gentle skincare; no alcohol-based cosmetics, perfumes, or hair dyes for 1 year
5️⃣ Hand Hygiene & Mask Use 🧴😷
Hand Washing is Essential:
- Before meals & medication
- After restroom, touching animals, or contaminated surfaces
Mask Use:
- Wear mask when leaving home or having visitors
- Recommended for 6 months post-transplant, or per doctor’s advice
6️⃣ Bathing & Skin Care 🛁
- Bath 2+ times weekly with hypoallergenic, antibacterial products
- Use personal towels
- Moisturize daily
- Sun protection: SPF 20+, long sleeves, hats
7️⃣ Medication Management 💊
- Follow prescriptions precisely
- Allogeneic patients: Sandimmun is critical
- Report side effects immediately
- Maintain scheduled blood tests
8️⃣ Travel & Outdoor Activity ✈️☀️
- Avoid travel: Allogeneic 6–12 months, Autologous 3–6 months
- Avoid swimming pools, saunas, and direct sun for 1 year
- Wear protective clothing and sunscreen
9️⃣ Exercise & Physical Activity 🚶♂️
- Light daily exercise supports recovery
- Avoid high-risk or crowded environments
- Outdoor activity is beneficial if infection-free
🔟 Sexual Health Post-Transplant ❤️
- Sexual activity may change due to medications
- Resume only under medical guidance
- Use protection to prevent irritation and infection
- Women may experience menstrual irregularities; consult a gynecologist
1️⃣1️⃣ Nutrition & Hydration 🥛🥗
- Drink 3 liters of fluids daily for 1 year
- Eat pasteurized dairy, well-washed fruits, thoroughly cooked meats
- Avoid raw foods, unpasteurized products, processed meats, street food
- Fruits & vegetables: soak in vinegar solution 30 min, peel before eating
1️⃣2️⃣ Bleeding Precautions 🩸
- Platelet count <50,000 increases bleeding risk
- Avoid trauma, heavy lifting
- Monitor for bruising, nosebleeds, or blood in urine/stool
1️⃣3️⃣ Social & Environmental Safety 👪
- Minimize visitors for 6 months
- Avoid crowded areas, construction, and gardening
- Pets: handle indirectly, avoid contact with sick animals
1️⃣4️⃣ Vaccinations 💉
| Vaccine | Timing Post-Transplant |
|---|---|
| Pneumococcal | 3–6 months (3 doses) |
| Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis | 6–12 months (3 doses) |
| Influenza | 4–6 months annually |
| Hepatitis B | 6–12 months (3 doses) |
| MMR | 24 months (1 dose) |
Family members: use inactivated vaccines, avoid live vaccines at home
1️⃣5️⃣ Oral Care 🦷
- Brush 3x daily with soft-bristle toothbrush
- Use fluoride toothpaste
- Rinse with sodium bicarbonate or saline solutions
1️⃣6️⃣ Catheter Care at Home 🩹
- Clean & dress catheter site every other day
- Use sterile gloves, antiseptics, transparent dressings
- Flush with heparin and saline per instructions
- Report redness, swelling, or discharge immediately
1️⃣7️⃣ When to Contact Your Doctor 📞
- Fever: ≥38°C autologous / ≥37.8°C allogeneic
- Blood in vomit, urine, or stool
- Shortness of breath, cough with sputum
- Oral or skin lesions, rashes
- Persistent nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Any unusual symptoms
❓ FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How long should I wear a mask? 😷
A1: Typically 6 months post-transplant, or as advised by your doctor.
Q2: Can I exercise? 🚶♀️
A2: Yes, light exercise is encouraged. Avoid crowded or dusty areas.
Q3: When can I travel? ✈️
A3: Autologous: 3–6 months; Allogeneic: 6–12 months. Avoid high-risk areas.
Q4: What foods should I avoid? 🚫
A4: Raw foods, unpasteurized dairy, processed meats, street foods, poorly washed fruits/vegetables.
Q5: How do I care for my catheter? 🩹
A5: Clean every other day using sterile technique, flush with heparin and saline, monitor for infection.
Q6: How can I prevent infections at home? 🏡🧴
A6: Wash hands frequently, wear masks with visitors, avoid crowded areas, maintain clean environment.
Q7: How do I manage medication side effects? 💊
A7: Take exactly as prescribed, report unusual symptoms to your doctor, maintain regular blood tests.
Q8: How can I stay safe outdoors? 🌳
A8: Avoid construction, dusty areas, direct sun. Wear SPF 20+, long sleeves, and hats.
Q9: Can I have pets? 🐱🐶
A9: Yes, but avoid direct contact with animals and their waste. Have family/friends assist in care.
Q10: How do I manage bleeding risks? 🩸
A10: Avoid trauma, monitor bruising/bleeding, maintain proper diet, and consult your doctor immediately if any issue arises.
