A member asked:

Without a spleen spoils i be more worried about viral infections like coronavirus due to weakened immune system or do i not for the weakened immune system category? lost spoken due to trauma.

3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Dr. Rebecca Gliksman answered

Specializes in Internal Medicine

Splenectomy: Viruses are fought by other parts of the immune system, not necessarily the spleen. Without a spleen you are at risk for encapsulated bacteria infection like strep pneumonia, pseudomonas, the meningitis bacteria. For pneumonia and meningitis there are vaccines. Get vaccinated, follow up with MD. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1188098/pdf/bmj33100417.pdf

Answered 4/6/2020

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Not viral risk but: People with asplenia or hyposplenia are at an increased risk of severe infection, not from viruses but from encapsulated bacteria (including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, E coli, and Salmonella). Severe illness may develop if infected with parasites like those in malaria or babesiosis. They should be vaccinated against S. pneumo., H. influen., N. mening.

Answered 4/6/2020

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