Long Term Care After a Splenectomy

A splenectomy is surgery to remove a diseased or injured spleen. The spleen is an organ that is located in the upper left part of the abdomen, just under the ribs. The spleen filters and cleans the blood. It also stores blood cells and destroys cells that are worn out. The spleen is also important for fighting disease.

The spleen, along with other body systems and organs, plays an important role in the body’s natural defense system (immune system). After your spleen is removed, you have a slightly greater chance of developing a serious, life-threatening infection. The following are some actions that you can take to prevent infection.

How can I prevent infection?

Your health care provider will recommend actions to help prevent infection. These may include:

• Making sure that your immunizations are up-to-date, including:
  • Pneumococcus.
  • Seasonal flu (influenza).
  • Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b).
  • Meningitis.
• Making sure that vaccines are up-to-date for your family members.
• Following good daily practices to prevent infection, such as:
  • Washing your hands often, especially after preparing food, eating, changing diapers, and playing with children or animals.
  • Disinfecting surfaces regularly.
  • Avoiding people who have active illness or infections.
• Taking precautions to avoid insect bites, such as:
  • Wearing proper clothing that covers the entire body when you are in wooded or marshy areas.
  • Changing clothing right away and checking for bites after you have been outside.
  • Using insect spray.
  • Using insect netting.
  • Staying indoors during hours when mosquitoes are most active.
• Taking precautions to avoid dog bites.
  • After a splenectomy, you may be at increased risk for rare infections that are associated with dog bites.

What do I need to do if I must travel?

If you travel in the U.S., take actions to avoid insect bites, especially in southern and eastern coastal areas. Insects can carry many viruses, and you may be at an increased risk of becoming sick from these viruses. You should also take precautions if you travel abroad to places where malaria is common. In that case, follow these guidelines:

• Contact your health care provider to get specific advice about the places that you will be visiting.
• Get specific immunizations to guard against the disease risks in the country that you will be visiting.
• Understand how to prevent infections, such as malaria, while you are abroad. These infections can pose serious risk. Precautions may include:
  • Daily tablets to prevent malaria.
  • Taking other precautions to prevent insect bites.
• Bring broad-spectrum antibiotic medicines with you if they have been prescribed.

What other things do I need to remember to do?

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• If you were prescribed an antibiotic:
  • Take it as told by your health care provider.
  • Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
  • Talk with your health care provider about the use of a probiotic supplement to prevent stomach upset.
• Keep track of medicine refills so you do not run out of medicine.
• Inform your close contacts of your condition. Consider wearing a medical alert bracelet or carrying an ID card.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

When should I seek medical care?

Call your health care provider if:

• You have a fever.
• You have signs of infection that continue after taking an antibiotic. Signs may include chills and feeling unwell.
• You are considering travel abroad.
• You are bitten by a tick or a dog.

When should I seek immediate medical care?

Call 911 or go to the emergency department if:

• You have chest pain along with:
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Pain in the back, neck, or jaw.
• You have pain or swelling in the leg.
• You develop a sudden headache and dizziness.