The spleen, roughly the size of a fist, is a vital organ that plays a key role in maintaining your body’s immune system and blood health. Although many Australians may not think much about this organ, understanding its functions and the support services available-especially for those without a functioning spleen-is crucial for lifelong health.
What Does the Spleen Do?
The spleen has two primary responsibilities:
- Filtering Blood: It removes old or damaged red blood cells from circulation, ensuring your blood remains healthy and efficient.
- Supporting Immunity: The spleen produces white blood cells that identify and eliminate harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens from the bloodstream. This immune function is essential in protecting the body against infections.
Why Is the Spleen Important in Australia?
In Australia, people who have had their spleen removed (a procedure called splenectomy) or those with reduced spleen function (hyposplenism) face a higher risk of serious bacterial infections. These infections can develop rapidly and become life-threatening, a condition known as overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI). OPSI carries a high mortality rate and may lead to severe complications such as limb amputations.
Spleen Australia: Supporting Vulnerable Australians
To address these risks, the Spleen Australia clinical service was established, evolving from a registry started in 2003 at Alfred Hospital. It now provides comprehensive support for Australians living without a functioning spleen or with reduced spleen function, particularly residents of Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, and Western Australia.
What does Spleen Australia offer?
- Registration and monitoring of individuals at risk
- Personalized vaccination schedules, including vaccines against pneumococcus, meningococcus, and Haemophilus influenzae type b
- Education on infection prevention and early symptom recognition
- Access to nursing support via phone and an app that reminds patients about vaccinations
- Distribution of alert cards to inform healthcare providers in emergencies
Living Without a Spleen: What You Need to Do
If you have had your spleen removed or have reduced spleen function, it’s important to:
- Register with Spleen Australia to receive tailored care and support.
- Stay up to date with vaccinations as recommended by your healthcare team.
- Be vigilant for signs of infection, such as high fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or feeling very unwell, and seek medical attention promptly.
- Carry your alert card at all times to inform medical staff of your condition in emergencies.
- Take preventive antibiotics if prescribed, especially in the first few years after spleen removal.
Spleen Removal Surgery in Australia
Sometimes, the spleen must be surgically removed due to injury, disease, or certain blood disorders. In Australia, this is often done via minimally invasive keyhole surgery, which typically allows for quicker recovery and less scarring. Before surgery, patients receive vaccinations funded by the Australian government to reduce infection risks.
After surgery, although other organs like the liver can compensate for many spleen functions, there remains a lifelong increased risk of serious infections. Following the precautions recommended by Spleen Australia and your medical team is essential to minimize this risk.
Summary
The spleen plays a crucial role in filtering blood and defending against infections. For Australians without a functioning spleen, services like Spleen Australia provide vital education, vaccination programs, and ongoing support to prevent severe infections. If you or a loved one has had a splenectomy or has reduced spleen function, registering with Spleen Australia and following medical advice can significantly improve health outcomes.
For more information or to register, visit www.spleen.org.au or contact the Spleen Australia helpline relevant to your state.