Travel and swimming

[annulla]

My transplant team told me not to travel to another country and not to swim anywhere for the first year.

[Beachgirl32]

your team is looking out for you I haven’t had a transplant yet but I recall the hem telling me that for when I do.congratulations on your if you have received one .

After a kidney transplant, you should avoid traveling to other countries and swimming for the first year because of the risk of infection and complications:

The first year after a transplant is when the risk of infection is highest. This is because the body is usually most immunosuppressed during this time.

[ShyeLoverDoctor]

Of course they are trying to protect their investment, as well as keep you healthy. You are most immune suppressed the first year it is quite true .

Not sure what you mean by swimming but there is a ton of bacteria in lakes. Not all pools are kept up and well chlorinated. My center never ever said a word to me about swimming!

Do keep in mind whenever you do travel, the state of medical care in that country, especially in rural areas. That could be the difference between keeping your kidney or not.

What are they going to do, repossess the kidney?

[annulla in reply to ShyeLoverDoctor]

I live in an area where there are a lot of public beaches and I’ve always enjoyed being in the water on a nice, warm day. My favorite is not terribly well known —when I go that beach it is usually just mommies and babies —and features big, shady trees, picnic tables, a play area for littles, and barbecue grills. I asked the team if it was okay and they told me to wait until the next year.

[ShyeLoverDoctor in reply to annulla]

I live in Los Angeles and the beaches are often closed several times during the year due to sewage contamination or other bacterial contaminants when it rains hard and things flow down storm drains too. I would never go in the water here, even before my transplant.

[LavenderRabbit]

Babies at the beach, hmmmm. Babies are notorious for getting fecal matter in the water and swimming pools. Just a thought.

That year will go by quickly.

[sugabear]

That sounds correct. My husband traveled his first year, but only domestically and to large cities that have access to good medical care. He actually had to go to a wedding two months after his transplant. We wore masks and everything was fine. I am not saying that you should go against their advice, I’m just saying that if you find that you do have to travel, take appropriate precautions and let the transplant team know. I definitely would not travel internationally, go on a cruise, or get on an airplane.

My husband still doesn’t swim and it’s been three years. It’s just not worth the risk.

[Mydaughtermyhero]

I was never told any such thing. I travelled domestically in the US and to Canada. I swam in my neighborhood pool and in Lake Huron. I don’t put my head underwater in the lake anymore, even before the transplant. Use common sense caution and live your best life!

[Tankjsl]

I am 21 months (today) post kidney transplant. I had a living kidney donor. I have done a lot of swimming but in a chlorinated pool. We swim at a YMCA. It’s a very clean facility. I think if you swim in a chlorinated pool, you will be fine. We have a boat and I do NOT swim in the lake. As far as travel….. I figure we have such beautiful places to visit in the USA, let’s travel there. So that’s what we’ve done. It is not because of anything else other than I want to be close to a good medical center and one that is in the USA. So that is personal preference.

I would say use the guidance of your transplant team. I am sure your team has your best interest at heart.

Take dare

[Bubba1995]

I have had my kidney transplant for almost 30 years now, and I did not travel for the first year. I didn’t have the chance to swim but I would wait a year if that’s what is suggested. After that first year I have traveled the world and swam on in many oceans and seas, just be careful and don’t take any risks you don’t feel comfortable with. Enjoy your time you have been given, and take your meds consistently. To life!

[RavaSpirit]

As most folks have shared already, it is effectively about your risk tolerance and weighing the pros and cons. Nothing could happen in the first year, but if it did, the damage could be irreparable (not medical advice, just how I looked at the same situation). I am now a year plus out and have not travelled internationally yet but gingerly trying to make that happen this year. I have though swam in the ocean and an empty pool in a hotel with no problem after my 1 year mark.

[littlelinda50]

I agree with them that first year traveling outside the US can be dangerous. The swimming part is just because any water outside of a pool can be dangerous. I am post kidney transplant 5 years and before I go to the beach I check myself for any visible sores/scratches and if I have any I won't go in the water just my feet if they are sore/scratch free. Also, when I come home I wash with an antibacterial soap just to be on the safe side. In that first year your body gets use to your meds and your immune system finds exactly where it needs to be to not reject that beautiful kidney. My firat year I had to change my immune suppressant meds twice once because it was cause bad diarrhea and once because no one was willing to do the prior authorization for my insurance to approve it. After the first year enjoy life with caution but enjoy life!