Patient education: Preventing infection after splenectomy (The Basics)

What is splenectomy? — 

This is surgery to remove the spleen.

The spleen is an organ in the upper left part of the belly (figure 1). It is part of the body's infection-fighting system, or "immune system." It makes blood cells that help the body fight infection. The spleen also filters blood. It removes things that could cause problems, including damaged blood cells and bacteria.

Splenectomy can be done if the spleen has been injured or is enlarged, or to treat certain medical problems.

You can live without a spleen. But your body will have a harder time fighting off certain infections. Also, without a spleen, even minor infections can turn into a serious problem called "sepsis." This is a serious illness that happens when an infection travels through the whole body.

There are things you can do to prevent serious infections.

How can I lower my risk of infection?

●Follow all your doctor's recommendations about vaccines. Many vaccines are given soon before or after splenectomy. Others, like the flu vaccine, are recommended every year.

●Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to take in case you get a fever or other signs of infection. Always carry these with you. Check regularly to make sure the medicine has not expired. If you have a fever or other signs of infection, take 1 dose of the antibiotic and immediately go to an emergency department. The medical staff will check you and decide if you need treatment.

●Depending on your situation, your doctor might also tell you to take an antibiotic every day. Experts often advise taking a daily antibiotic until age 5 for children and for 1 year after splenectomy for adults. Some people continue taking it for longer.

●If you ever need surgery or see a doctor for any signs of illness, always tell the doctors or nurses you had a splenectomy. This helps make sure you get the care you need. It can also help to wear a medical bracelet or carry an ID card that says you do not have a spleen. This way, others will know about your condition if you have a medical emergency.

●If you plan to travel outside the US, see your doctor first. They can talk to you about how to avoid certain infections that are common in other countries, such as malaria.

●Animal and tick bites can be especially dangerous for people without a spleen. It is important to avoid tick bites and animal bites (especially dogs).

●Wash your hands often, avoid sharing personal items with people who are sick, and pay attention to food safety. These are steps everyone can take to protect themselves from infections.

●Make sure you know what to do if you have any signs of infection (see below).

When should I get medical help? — 

Your doctor will work with you to make a plan for exactly what to do if you have any signs of infection. They will tell you when to take a dose of your antibiotics and when to get emergency help or call for advice. It's important to follow this plan, because even a minor infection can become serious quickly.

In general, go straight to the nearest emergency department if you have:

●Fever higher than 101°F (38.3°)

●Chills or shivering

●Severe or unusual headache

●Vomiting, diarrhea, or severe belly pain

●Drowsiness or confusion, or disorientation

●Passing out, or feeling lightheaded or like your heart is racing

●Small purple-red dots on your skin, or unexplained bruises

In the emergency department, tell the staff you do not have a spleen. They can check you for infection and decide if you need more or different treatment.

Call your doctor or nurse for advice if you:

●Are bitten or scratched by a dog or other animal

●Were bitten by a tick

●Have a cough, runny nose, or other cold symptoms

●Have an earache

They will tell you what to do next, and whether you should be seen.

More on this topic

Patient education: Splenectomy (The Basics)
Patient education: What you should know about vaccines (The Basics)
Patient education: Vaccines for adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Vaccines for children age 7 to 18 years (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Sepsis in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Sepsis in babies and children (The Basics)
Patient education: Lowering the risk of spreading infection (The Basics)

Patient education: Preventing infection in people with impaired spleen function (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Vaccines for adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Why does my child need vaccines? (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Vaccines for children age 7 to 18 years (Beyond the Basics)