Can a cold or ear infection delay getting a transplant?

@jtannen1, Hi and welcome to Connect. You have presented a very good question! I am a transplant recipient, and I know from my experience, that you have to be well to undergo the surgery. Staying healthy enough to undergo the surgery is a great concern and extra cause for anxiety for us while we are waiting. When I arrived at the hospital for my pre-surgery workup, I was examined to rule out any conditions that might cancel the transplant surgery. As I remember it, the bigger concern was whether there was infection or fever. This is a routine practice. The reason for all the precautions is to be certain that you will be healthy enough to survive recover from the surgery.

Your question about a little cold is one that you should discuss with your transplant team. They are the ones to answer this as related to your own overall health conditions. I encourage you to take the best possible care of yourself while waiting. Avoid those germs. Make yourself #1 in being proactive about your health.

Are you waiting for a kidney transplant? Or a friend or family member?
Rosemary

Hey Josh,
We took your question to one of our transplant nurse managers. She wrote:
"Yes! You can still get a kidney transplant if you have a common cold. As long as you don’t have pneumonia, this should not be an issue. However, if you have questions about your current status, you can always check with the doctors and transplant team who are caring for you. They may have recommendations that are specific to your situation. We hope you feel better soon!"

I know you've been waiting for 5 years and you must worry about every sniffle. It can't be easy. I bet @coastalgirl @scottb32 and @v1crew can relate.
Josh, do you have a cold right now?

Yes but it is just a normal cold.

@jtannen1, I hope you are feeling better. Colds can be such a 'bother'.
Rosemary

I have a quick question last year when I got a cold I also got an ear infection is it still ok to get a transplant if I get an ear infection? I don't have one but just wondering

Hi Josh,
I moved your question about ear infections to your previous question about having a cold, and named the discussion "Can a cold or ear infection delay getting a transplant?" Having a more descriptive title for this topic will be helpful to old and new members who may have similar questions or experience.

@kequick can you help with this question?

Josh, how bad is your ear infection? Are you taking antibiotics or other medication to help clear it up?

Hi @jtannen1, Hope you're doing well. We asked one of our transplant nurse managers about whether or not an ear infection would prevent a patient from being eligible for transplant. She said a patient with an ear infection would be able to get a transplant, provided that infection is just a common ear infection. Hope that helps!

I had to have my surgery postponed as a living donor when I came down with a cold. The biggest concern was that I developed a cold sore, which is a form of herpes. The cold sore had to be completely gone before I could undergo the procedure. My Dr. put me on a round of antibiotics for the cold just to be safe. I had the procedure two weeks ago. My transplant coordinator told me that they wanted me in the best health possible.