Lifestyle advice
Travelling
You can go on holiday. If you are travelling in the Republic of Ireland, keep your coordinator informed about your location so they can make arrangements to bring you into hospital as quickly as possible if a potential match comes available.
If you are travelling outside of the Republic of Ireland, you will need to speak to your local respiratory doctor about whether this is safe for you, and about oxygen on your flight. You will need to come off the active list while you are outside of the country.
Avoid getting sick
Try to avoid situations that could put you at risk of getting sick, such as being in crowded spaces. Wear a mask and use hand sanitiser in public, especially during flu seasons.
Vaccinations
Keep up to date with your vaccinations. Get the flu vaccine each year and a pneumococcal vaccine as recommended by your GP and local respiratory consultant according to HSE guidelines. You will also need a Hepatitis B vaccine before transplant.
To make sure you have all your vaccines, schedule an appointment with your GP and bring this vaccination booklet with you. It will help your GP understand which vaccines you'll need before transplant. You can then get your vaccinations either with your GP or your local hospital. The booklet includes a vaccine checklist. Please ensure this is completed whenever you receive a vaccine.
Don’t drink alcohol
Since you can get a call at any moment, you must avoid alcohol while you are on the active list.
Don't smoke, vape, use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or recreational drugs
Smoking of any kind or taking recreational drugs would make you not suitable for lung transplant.