Kidney Transplants

• What are some disadvantages of kidney transplants?

  • Shortage of organ donors
  • May risk death
  • Must take immune-suppressant drugs to prevent rejection but increase infection
  • Kidney only lasts 8-9 years
• What are some advantages of kidney transplants?

  • Improved quality of life
  • increased lifespan
  • no need for dialysis
  • Cheaper for NHS compared to dialysis
• What drug is needed for transplant patients?

  Immuno-suppressants
• Why do transplant patients need to take immuno-suppressants?

  To suppress the immune system of rejecting the donor kidney
• 2 precautions of organ rejection:

  • Tissue typing
  • Immuno-suppressants
• Why must the donor kidney have similar antigens to the patient? Is it easy to find a match?

  To prevent organ rejection and no as some may die before they find their match