Key points
- You need to follow strict food safety advice for the rest of your life to lower the risk of infections from food or water.
- Careful food handling, preparation and storage (at home and when eating out) are essential to reduce the risk of food poisoning.
- Some foods, drinks, supplements and herbal products need to be avoided, as they can interfere with transplant medicines.
- If you develop symptoms of food poisoning, seek medical advice immediately.
The importance of lifelong food safety
After your lung transplant, you will be taking immunosuppression medication for the rest of your life to prevent rejection. This medication will lower your body’s natural resistance to infection, including food poisoning (gastroenteritis). You’ll need to be extra cautious about food safety for the rest of your life, but you are at greater risk in the first year after transplant.
The risk of food poisoning can be lessened by following the 4Cs:
- Avoid cross contamination.
- Clean your hands well.
- Cook food properly.
- Chill food properly.
“If you're ever admitted to hospital, let the hospital staff know about your food safety requirements.”
- Sandra Murphy, Clinical Specialist Dietitian
Drinking water safely
Drinking water is frequently contaminated with bacteria at different times of the year in many parts of the world including Ireland. Precautions should be observed wherever you live in the country at all times.
“Never use a filtration system or drink directly from wells, streams, lakes or rivers.”
- Fatma Omar, Clinical Specialist Dietitian
Food poisoning and high risk foods
Symptoms of food poisoning include:
- stomach pains
- diarrhoea
- nausea or vomiting
- fever, headache and shivering
If you think you have food poisoning, seek medical advice immediately. These symptoms need to be treated seriously. Do not wait for them to pass. Vomiting and diarrhoea can affect the absorption of your immunosuppression treatment, therefore compromising your new lung(s).
High risk food to avoid
There are lots of foods you should avoid to reduce your risk of food poisoning. To learn more, go to High risk foods and their alternatives.
Food and medication interaction
After transplant, there are a number of foods, supplements, herbal remedies and teas that you should never take, as they can interact with your medication. For a full list, see Medications after transplant.
If you have any questions about whether something is safe to consume or if you’re looking for a way to treat a specific symptom, don’t hesitate to ring the clinic for advice.
Food preparation and storage
It is essential to maintain a high standard of hygiene at home to avoid getting food poisoning. For a full list of food hygiene guidelines, see How to prepare and store food.
Tips for eating out
Consult with your transplant team first to decide when it’s safe for you to start eating out again.
- Choose a reputable place with a good standard of hygiene and catering if you’re going to a restaurant.
- Be prepared. Research the restaurant and the menu ahead of time. Call ahead if you have any questions about the menu.
- Continue to avoid high risk foods. Check the full list of high risk foods and their alternatives.
- Choose hot dishes where possible, as they have a lower risk of contamination.
- Avoid salad bars, buffets, delis, or street vendors.
- Avoid fruit and vegetable juices.
- Be cautious with picnics, shared dishes and platters. Avoid dishes where multiple hands are touching the food.
- Never use any ice cubes.
- Ask for bottled water only. Don't drink any tap water.
“Eating out should be avoided for the first 3 months after transplant due to the risk of infections from food or water.”
- Fatma Omar, Clinical Specialist Dietitian