Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD): Symptoms & Signs

Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is a condition that occurs in people who have received stem cell or organ transplants.

GVHD occurs in both acute and chronic (long-term) forms. Signs and symptoms of acute GVHD include

• itchy, red skin,
• rash,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea, and
• liver inflammation.

In chronic GVHD, the symptoms and signs can include

• dry eyes,
• dry mouth,
• difficulty swallowing,
• hair loss,
• mouth pain,
• skin discoloration,
• fatigue,
• muscle and joint pain,
• loss of appetite, and
• weight loss, among other symptoms.

Causes of graft versus host disease (GVHD)

It is caused by a reaction in which immune cells present in donor tissue (the graft) attack the host's own tissues. GVHD is a complication after bone marrow transplantation (stem cell transplants) from both related and unrelated donors.

Other graft versus host disease symptoms and signs

• Diarrhea
• Difficulty Swallowing
• Dry Eyes
• Dry Mouth
• Fatigue
• Hair Loss
• Itchy Red Skin
• Liver Inflammation
• Loss of Appetite
• Mouth Pain
• Muscle and Joint Pain
• Nausea
• Rash
• Skin Discoloration
• Vomiting
• Weight Loss Among Other Symptoms