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Graft-versus-host disease

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

GVHD

Prevention:

Before a transplant, your blood type and tissue type will be carefully matched with eligible donors. This matching will reduce the risk of GVHD. Whenever possible, donations from closely matched family members can further decrease the risk of this problem. Absolute prevention of GVHD is not possible - it is a risk with any bone marrow transplant.

References:

Hoffman R, Benz Jr. EJ, Shattil SJ, et al., eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 4th ed . Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingston; 2005:1783-92.

Kasper DL, Braunwald E, Fauci AS, et al. (eds.) Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 16th Edition (Online). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2005.

• Review Date: 5/30/2007
• Reviewed By: Donald Accetta, MD, MPH, President, Allergy & Asthma Care, PC, Taunton, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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