Spleen disorders and splenectomy

Living without a spleen

If your spleen needs to be removed, other organs such as the liver can take over many of the spleen's functions.

This meansyou will still be able to cope with most infections. However, there is a small risk that a serious infection may develop quickly.This risk will be present for the rest of your life.

Risk of infection

Young children have a higher risk of serious infection than adults, but the risk is still small. The risk is also increased if you have a medical condition such as sickle cell anaemia , coeliac disease or a condition that affects your immune system, such as HIV .

This risk can be minimised by following simple precautions to prevent infection.

Vaccinations

Make sure you have had all your routine childhood vaccinations . You should also be vaccinated against:

pneumococcal infections such as pneumonia, with regular boosters at least every five years
flu (get the seasonal flu jab every autumn)
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
meningitis C (MenC)

Antibiotics

It's recommended that you take low-dose antibiotics for the rest of your life to prevent bacterial infections. Antibiotics are particularly important:

for children under the age of 16
for the first two years after your spleen is removed
if your immune system doesn't work properly

Be alert for signs ofinfection

Watch out for signs of infection, such as:

high temperature (fever)
sore throat
cough
severe headache
headache with drowsiness or a rash
abdominal pain
redness and swelling around the surgical wound

Your GP can prescribe a course of antibiotics for you to use if you get an infection. You should start taking them at the first sign of an infection, so see your GP as soon as possible.

If your infection becomes serious, you will be admitted to hospital.

Animal and tick bites

Bites from animals and ticks (small blood-sucking parasites) can cause infections.

If you get bitten by an animal, particularly a dog, start your course of antibiotics and seek medical advice urgently.

If you go trekking or camping regularly, you may be at risk of babesiosis, which is a rare disease transmitted by ticks. Try to avoid tick bites by wearing clothes that cover your skin, particularly long trousers. If you become ill, get medical advice straight away.

Telling medical staff about your condition

Healthcare professionals will mark your health records to show that you don't have a working spleen. However, always remember to tell any medical professionals that you see, including your dentist.

Carry medical ID

It's a good idea to carry or wear some medical ID. For example:

if your spleen is removed, the hospital may give you a splenectomy card to take home with you
you may want to buy your own medical ID, such as a MedicAlert or Medi-Tag bracelet or pendant

If you need help or emergency treatment, your medical ID will alert the staff to your condition.

Travel abroad

If you're travelling abroad:

you may be advised to take a course of antibiotics with you
find out if you need an extra meningitis vaccination (types ACWY)
check if you need any travel vaccinations

People without a working spleen have an increased risk of developing a severe form of malaria. If possible, avoid countries where malaria is present. If you can't, speak to your GP or local pharmacist about anti-malaria medicine before you travel. You should also use mosquito nets and insect repellent.