Splenectomy

Your spleen, located in the upper left side of your abdomen, helps your body resist infection. Sometimes, the spleen stops working properly as a result of an accident or other health problems. In certain cases, a person's spleen has to be taken out. This procedure is called a splenectomy.

If your spleen has to be taken out, you are more at risk of getting severe infections. Your risk of infection is highest in the first 2 years after you have a splenectomy. Your risk will also depend in part on your age and whether you have other diseases.

If your spleen has been taken out, you should call your doctor at the first sign of infection, such as fever or chills. You should also call your doctor if you have a severe sore throat, an unexplained cough, severe abdominal pain, a headache or drowsiness.

Talk with your doctor about how to protect yourself from infections. Tell all your doctors, dentists and other health care workers that your spleen has been removed.

You should get vaccinated against pneumococcal infection before your splenectomy and get a booster shot every 3 to 5 years. You should also get a flu shot each year. Your doctor may also want you to get 2 other shots, one to protect you against Haemophilus infections and another to protect against meningitis.

Children who have a splenectomy might need to take antibiotics for at least 2 years after the spleen is taken out, and sometimes until age 21. Adults who plan to travel to remote areas or won't have a doctor available for some other reason should have a supply of antibiotics to take at the first sign of infection. Talk to your doctor about which antibiotics are right for you.

If you travel to tropical countries, avoid the risk of malaria. You are also more likely to get infections from dog bites, and to get babesiosis, an infection transmitted by deer ticks. Let your doctor know if you plan to travel to areas where these conditions are common. Seek care immediately if you are bitten by a dog or if you notice a rash that forms after you are bitten by a tick.