2025-07-16 Facebook Live - Kidney Q&A

FB Live – July 16th: In this month’s episode of Ask the Doctor, DPC Education Center’s Healthcare Consultant, Dr. Velma Scantlebury, renowned transplant surgeon and advocate for kidney health, goes Live on Facebook to answer your most pressing questions about living with kidney disease. Tune in to hear her advice on preventing sepsis, managing post-transplant viruses, and addressing caregiver burnout, along with many other kidney-related topics.

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that dialysis patients, whether you have a catheter, fistula, or peritoneal dialysis port, must vigilantly work to prevent. Dr. Scantlebury explains the importance of site hygiene and how simple daily practices can protect you. Keeping catheter or access sites clean, changing dressings regularly, and never ignoring contamination are all key steps in preventing harmful skin bacteria from entering the bloodstream.

After a transplant, patients are placed on immunosuppressant medications to prevent organ rejection. but this suppression can allow dormant viruses to reactivate. Two of the most common culprits are CMV (cytomegalovirus) and BK virus. Dr. Scantlebury explains how these viruses, which most people carry unknowingly, can become dangerous post-transplant. They can cause damage to the transplanted kidney, potentially leading to rejection or loss of kidney function. She also touches on how the immune system may develop new antibodies against the donor kidney, adding further complications that require ongoing monitoring and careful adjustment of anti-rejection medications. This is just one of the many reasons it is so important for patients to stay up to date with their labs and working closely with their healthcare teams to catch any signs of infection or rejection quickly so they can be treated.

Whether it is caring for someone with chronic kidney disease or post-transplant recovery, being a caregiver is a demanding job, both physically and emotionally. Dr. Scantlebury discusses the signs of caregiver burnout and offers practical advice for preventing it. Whether it's scheduling days off, sharing responsibilities with family or friends, or simply making time for self-care, she emphasizes the importance of supporting the health and well-being of those who provide care.

Packed with expert insights and actionable advice, this episode is a must-listen for patients, caregivers, and anyone navigating life with kidney disease or transplant recovery. Dr. Scantlebury brings clarity and compassion to these critical health issues and reminds us all of the importance of staying informed, prepared, and supported.

We invite you to join us for our live events and ask your kidney-related questions! Find us on both Instagram and Facebook:

• IG Live @patientcitizens 
• Facebook Live www.facebook.com/patientcitizens