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. Make sure you have had all your routine childhood vaccinations.
You should also be vaccinated against:. It's recommended that you take low-dose antibiotics for the rest of your life to prevent bacterial infections. Antibiotics are particularly important:. 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.
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.
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. 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.
Home Illnesses and conditions Stomach, liver and gastrointestinal tract Spleen problems and spleen removal. Spleen problems and spleen removal. Some people are born without a spleen or need to have it removed because of disease or injury. What does the spleen do? The spleen has a few important functions: It fights any invading germs in the blood the spleen contains infection-fighting white blood cells.
It controls the level of blood cells. The spleen controls the level of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets small cells that form blood clots It screens the blood and removes any old or damaged red blood cells.
This can lead to: anaemia , from a reduced number of red blood cells an increased risk of infection, from a reduced number of white blood cells bleeding or bruising, from a reduced number of platelets Spleen problems Spleen pain Spleen pain is usually felt as a pain behind your left ribs.
Back to Health A to Z. Some people are born without a spleen or need to have it removed because of illness or injury. The spleen is a fist-sized organ in the upper left side of your abdomen, next to your stomach and behind your left ribs. It's an important part of your immune system, but you can survive without it. This is because the liver can take over many of the spleen's functions. Spleen pain is usually felt as a pain behind your left ribs. It may be tender when you touch the area.
The spleen can become damaged or may burst rupture after an injury, such as a blow to the abdomen, a car accident, a sporting accident or broken ribs. Sometimes if you lie down and raise your legs, you can feel the pain at the tip of your left shoulder. The spleen can become swollen after an infection or injury. It can also become enlarged as a result of a health condition, such as cirrhosis , leukaemia or rheumatoid arthritis.
Doctors can often tell if you have an enlarged spleen by feeling your abdomen. The spleen is not usually removed if it's just enlarged. Instead, you'll receive treatment for any underlying condition and your spleen will be monitored.
You may be prescribed antibiotics if there's an infection. You'll need to avoid contact sports for a while, as you'll be at greater risk of rupturing the spleen while it's enlarged. Surgery is only necessary if the enlarged spleen is causing serious complications or the cause cannot be found.
You may need an operation to remove your spleen, known as a splenectomy, if it's not working properly or it's damaged, diseased or enlarged. If there's time, you'll be advised to have certain vaccinations before the operation. This is because spleen removal weakens your immune system and can make you more likely to get an infection.
Most operations to remove spleens are carried out using keyhole surgery laparoscopy. A number of diseases and conditions can cause an enlarged spleen. Infections, such as mononucleosis , are among the most common causes of splenomegaly. Problems with your liver, such as cirrhosis and cystic fibrosis , can also cause an enlarged spleen.
Another possible cause of splenomegaly is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. This condition can cause inflammation of the lymph system.
Because the spleen is part of the lymph system, this inflammation can result in the spleen becoming enlarged. If you experience pain in the upper left side of your abdomen that is severe, or if the pain worsens when you breathe, see your doctor as soon as possible. To treat your enlarged spleen, your doctor will have to treat the underlying cause.
If the cause of your enlarged spleen is an infection, your doctor may or may not prescribe you antibiotics depending on the organism causing the infection. If the infection that causes your enlarged spleen is caused by bacteria, antibiotics may help. If a virus caused your infection, as is the case with mononucleosis, antibiotics would be of no help.
In serious cases, your doctor might suggest that you have your spleen removed, which is called a splenectomy. Your risk of developing infections throughout your life may increase. But you can reduce your risk of getting infections by getting the appropriate vaccinations.
If you have splenomegaly, finding ways to prevent damage to your enlarged spleen is important. When your spleen is enlarged, it has a greater risk of rupture. A ruptured spleen can lead to heavy internal bleeding that can be life-threatening. If you get into an accident, your seatbelt will help protect your organs, including your spleen, and will reduce the chance of trauma to your organs.
Your spleen is also responsible for holding platelets in reserve to aid in clotting when you are injured. The spleen also helps to maintain a healthy number of red blood cells in your blood to allow your blood to carry oxygen efficiently. As a part of your lymphatic system, the second major function of the spleen is to help keep your immune system functioning properly. The second kind of tissue in your spleen, the white pulp, is responsible for helping to store lymphocytes.
Also known as white blood cells, these cells are the main defense your body has against infections. When you are sick, the spleen releases these white blood cells into your bloodstream to attack any invaders, such as bacteria or viruses, in an attempt to destroy them and keep you healthy.
You would think any organ being enlarged would cause pain, but surprisingly, an enlarged spleen may not give you many signals that something is wrong. Unlike many other illnesses, problems with your spleen don't often exhibit a lot of symptoms on their own.
It takes a serious case of splenomegaly for you to begin feeling pain from your spleen. If your spleen becomes significantly enlarged, it is possible to experience pain in your upper abdomen and even into your left shoulder. The pressure an enlarged spleen can put on surrounding organs can sometimes be felt if the swelling has become severe enough.
If you experience sharp pain in the upper left part of your abdomen when taking a deep breath, it may be time to talk to your doctor to see if you are suffering from splenomegaly. With its role in cleaning and maintaining your blood supply, the spleen can be susceptible to many different conditions that affect your blood.
Your dietary habits and lifestyle could cause your spleen to become enlarged. Liver disease, such as cirrhosis caused by chronic alcoholism, can affect the spleen. Some forms of heart disease, which can be affected by diet and exercise, can also disrupt the blood supply to your spleen.
Blood disorders are a significant source of splenic problems. Since your spleen spends its day filtering and cleaning your blood supply, things that go wrong with your blood, particularly when they affect your red blood cells, can be a challenge for your spleen. Several of the blood disorders that are common causes of splenomegaly involve the spleen working too hard to remove damaged blood cells. These conditions include hemolytic anemia, sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and spherocytosis.
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