Why do I always get sepsis when I come back from abroad! Help!

@tinamakwana, I had sepsis once, and I hope that it is the only episode that I will experience! I am also a transplant recipient (liver and kidney 2009) and I am aware that infection can spread quickly for us who are immunosuppressed. I had to be admitted to hospital and was fortunate that the local hospital quickly identified the bacteria and was able to successfully treat it. The cause of my sepsis was investigated and diagnosed by my transplant team / a surgical procedure was needed. That is my experience, and so I felt that I needed to do a of investigation of my own and here is some of the information that I have come across that I think pertains to your situation: Sepsis is a serious condition in which the body responds improperly to an infection. Any type of infection can lead to sepsis (includes bacterial, viral or fungal infections). Among the more commomly cause of sepsis includes infections of Kidney,bladder, and other parts of the urinary system. Since you mentioijed that you are a kidney transplant recipient this does include you. You can find more information from Mayo Clinic about Sepsis in this link - Sepsis-Causes & Symptoms https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sepsis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351214
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@tinamakwana, If I were you, I would discuss this with my transplant team. Who diagnosed and treated your sepsis? Was your kidney transplant team involved or aware of this? How is your kidney responding?

Hey guys. Every time I go away abroad I come back and get sepsis every year I get it since 2021! I do everything right when I go abroad, bottled water no salads no ice etc etc I just can’t put a finger on it the transplant team don’t know either to be honest so I’m just like what on earth is it ! How can I stop it! I’m so careful when abroad too. I am going to Guyana and Barbados in two weeks and I have a rescue pack of antibiotics with me I have bought a water filter bottle I have all the precautions and I’m only hoping I don’t get sick again when I return. Any other advice maybe ? Thank you guys for responding it honestly means so much to me to get in touch with others who have had a transplant or in your case two! Kidney and liver amazing !

@tinamakwana
Hi Tina, everything you touch could have been touched by someone else. Hand sanitizer bottles (small for plane) are your friend. My first thought was dehydration after your trip combined with exposure to other pathogens, however it could be either of those combined with the stress of travel. Do you fly with a partner or spouse? Could they be picking up something that doesn’t make them sick, but being immune compromised your system cannot handle it? I agree with @rosemarya, you should talk to your transplant team. Could they put you on prophylactic antibiotics to take while you are away in addition to taking another with you? Sepsis is so serious, I have been there. A person can get so sick very fast. I understand the need to get out and go after living on dialysis for 7 years! I feel uncomfortable traveling very far right now due sepsis in December. I went from Urgent Care in morning to get antibiotics to extremely high fever by mid afternoon and unable to get words out. I won’t risk losing the precious kidney my cousin gave me.
Hope you figure it out before your next adventure!