Acute GVHD

Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a complication that can occur after a bone marrow or stem cell transplant. In this condition, immune cells from the donor (the graft) attack the recipient's (the patient's) tissues, mistaking them as foreign. It commonly affects the skin, liver, and intestines, causing symptoms like rash, jaundice, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Acute GVHD usually develops within the first few months after transplant and can range from mild to severe. Managing it involves immunosuppressive medications to reduce the donor cells' attack, while balancing the risk of infections.