The reason for careful monitoring of kidney function and the early recognition and treatment of acute rejection is to promote kidney function and to have the best possible transplant outcome. However, treatment of acute rejection is not continued to a point at which treatment is making you sicker than the rejection itself. If the transplant is rejected, after a period of time for recovery, another transplant is usually possible. It is not necessary to remove a rejected transplanted kidney unless it is making you ill. The careful monitoring while you are in the hospital is also to watch for any signs and symptoms of infection.
Infection is the most common complication of a transplant.
What is usually a mild infection to someone without a transplant may be overwhelming and life-threatening to a person with a transplant. The danger of infection is somewhat lessened when the dose of immunosuppression is lowered to the maintenance levels. However, as long as you take immunosuppressants, you must be alert for signs and symptoms of infection. Call your local doctor or the transplant center promptly if you think you have an infection.