While you're still in the hospital after you've received your kidney transplant you'll start to notice you've developed a new phobia: GERMS!

Your post-transplant medications work to prevent your body from rejecting your new organ by lowering your White Blood Cells (WBCs). The downside to lowering your WBCs is that your body has less defenses to fight germs and infection.

There will be many things you can do to minimize your exposure to germs and infection. Your doctor will make recommendations for your lifestyle such as wearing a face mask, not going into large public crowds and washing your hands properly - but one of the easiest things you can do is purchase hand sanitizer, and use it diligently. Also as a general precaution, it will be pertinent to ask your friends and family (or anyone who comes into direct contact with you) to sanitize their hands before touching you or anything you might touch.

Hand sanitizer is not a complete substitute for hand-washing. After your transplant, you should wash your hands frequently, and use hand sanitizer in addition to washing, but especially around, public places. On Purel's website you can find a basic FAQ about what everyone should know about hand hygiene products.

My favorite hand sanitizer is CVS Instant Hand Sanitizing Spray With Aloe. It mists on and leaves hands soft and fresh-smelling. Another convenient and useful product I like is the CVS Hand Sanitizer Gel Packets that can be tucked into any small space (even your wallet...)

With all the immuno-suppressant and anti-rejection medication you'll be on, you have every right to be concerned about GERMS. So - in order to keep those germs away, preparing before your transplant by stocking up on hand sanitizer is an easy (and inexpensive) idea.

Today's Kidney Education: "According to the CDC, the simple act of hand washing is the single most important means of preventing the spread of vital and bacterial infections". Hand Washing 101