Yes, after you have informed the nursing team. But the child must wear a mask. Masks are available for you in the unit. You can also go for a walk with them around the hospital.

• Always wash your hands with soap and water before your first daily contact with your child.
• Throughout the day, disinfect your hands before entering and leaving the room with a water-based alcohol solution. 
• In case you come in contact with biological fluids, such as urine, blood or stool, wash your hands with soap and water.

How should we wash our hands?

Yes, as long as you respect the expiration date shown on the package.

The storage, preparation and cooking of food must be done in a "clean environment": 

• Clean your refrigerator regularly (once or twice a month)
• Wash your utensils and dishes carefully:

- either by hand with hot water and liquid dish detergent (and then dry them with a clean towel)

- or in the dishwasher with the temperature set to 60°

• Keep your work spaces clean.
• Wash your hands before cooking.
• Prepare small amounts at meals to avoid leftovers and cook all foods thoroughly.
• Store fresh or already cooked foods in the refrigerator.
• Eat leftovers, use up the baby food in jars and opened packages within 48 hours of storing them in the refrigerator.
• Cook frozen foods directly without defrosting them first.
• Never refreeze food that has already been thawed.
• Check product expiration dates.
• When shopping, wrap up fresh foods and then put them in an insulated bag to avoid breaking the cold chain.

It is not recommended to have birds, snakes, turtles or lizards as pets because of the risk of contamination with fungi. If you already have these animals as pets, your child who has undergone a transplant must avoid any contact with them and absolutely must not help with their care, such as cleaning cages, a vivarium or other terrarium, nor feed them.

Cats, dogs, horses, cows and other animals pose no problems. However, avoid getting any new animals as pets during the first year after transplantation. 

In the ocean: yes, but you must apply “total SPF coverage” sunscreen because the effect of tacrolimus (immunosuppressive medication) makes the skin more sensitive to the harmful effects of the sun (skin cancer).

In a pool: It is recommended that public pools be avoided during the first post-transplant year. On the other hand, private swimming pools (at your home, or at the homes of friends or family) are allowed.

Generally 3 to 6 months after the transplant.

Using basic hygiene measures is the best way to avoid contamination.

You should use them on a daily basis, regardless of your location and situation (hospital, home, school, travel, etc.):

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, for example, after using the toilet, before cooking or eating, on returning home, after recreational activities or taking a break, on leaving the hospital or the doctor’s office, etc.
• Use a water-based alcohol solution when there is no water available.
• If you have a cold, sneezing or coughing, use a tissue and dispose of it in the trash after use, and then wash or disinfect your hands.

No, they should preferably be taken by mouth.

Do not change the tacrolimus administration schedule. Continue to give it to your child at the same time as usual based on the new time zone.

For example:

8 a.m. during standard time in the winter => 8 a.m. during daylight savings time in the summer

8 a.m. in Geneva => 8 a.m. in New York

To the best of our current knowledge, yes. A transplant recipient must take immunosuppressive treatment throughout his life. Studies are currently underway.

Yes. Even if your child has a nasogastric tube. As with tacrolimus, other immunosuppressive medication, including Nifedipine®, Amphomoronal® and Mycostatin®, should preferably be taken by mouth.

The other treatments can be administered through the tube. However, because the tube is temporary, it is best for your child to get used to taking its medication by mouth.

There are no effective prophylactic antivirals against those other viruses.