Protecting yourself against infectious diseases

Get Vaccinated

If you have a liver condition you might be asked to have extra vaccines. Including COVID-19 boosters and autumn flu vaccines. It is very important to have these vaccines.

You can find out more about COVID-19 vaccines for people with a liver condition here.

You can find out more about other vaccines for you and those closest to you here.

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Reduce your risk of food poisoning

If you have recently had a transplant, you will be told to avoid some foods for a few months.

You can find out more about foods to avoid after a transplant here.

If you have not recently had a transplant, then you do not need to avoid particular foods. But it is still sensible to follow some basic food hygiene rules.

You can find these on the transplant information page here.

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Other ways to reduce your risk of getting an infection

• Try to avoid close contact with someone with an infectious condition.

E.g. Children with chicken pox, or someone with an obvious cold.

• Wear gloves for gardening and for cleaning up litter trays, bird cages, or dog poo.
• If it makes you feel more comfortable, wear a face mask on public transport or in other crowded public places.
• Wash your hands well before you eat or prepare food.
• Brush your teeth after every meal and see a dentist every 6 months.
• Keep your fingernails and toenails clean and trimmed.

Use nail clippers to cut your toenails. Follow the shape of your toes and use an emery board to smooth any rough edges or corners.

• Keep cuts and grazes clean.

Wash them thoroughly then put on a clean dry plaster or dressing. Check it regularly to make sure it is healing.

• If you use tampons, choose the smallest size you can.

Change them regularly and do not use them overnight.

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Special thanks

We would like to thank Lindsay Chalmers, British liver trust specialist liver nurse and Professor Stephen Ryder, consultant hepatologist at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS trust, for their help with creating and reviewing this information.

Published January 2024