Posted , 23 users are following.
Hello. My spleen was removed in 2012 following injury and bleeding. I was always told to be aware of bacteriological infection and I take low dose antibiotics as prophylaxis. What is the function of the spleen in fighting viruses, and does not having a spleen put me in a high risk category for complications arising from Covid-19 infection. Very little information available online!
1 like, 84 replies
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pam60654 PatinetzeroJ
Edited
Splenectomy is mentioned on here.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults?fbclid=IwAR3gsdj07KjO67_j8LIs4wakXH8DqSNajOYmIgI2iKaJ4h77PPttSoF2oK4
karenjk pam60654
Posted
Thank you Pam. Stay healthy.
Roystan pam60654
Posted
thank you, that's really helpful x
ChocolateSilk PatinetzeroJ
Posted
I have question guys.. I live with my boyfriend and at this time, we don't know when his job will shut down yet. But while he's working he's been trying to protect himself as much as possible so he doesn't bring it home to me. Should I stay with my mom right now? I don't want leave my home where my partner and all my things are. But if I really have to I will. What do you guys honestly think given our situation? Thanks for reading ❤️
karenjk ChocolateSilk
Posted
How about a email to your physician?
carol80650 ChocolateSilk
Posted
Chocolate - I really think that the best thing to do is keep calm, limit unnecessary social contact & pay particular attention to hygiene. My husband works in a hospital & I wouldn't dream of moving out.
I think history will show that this is the biggest over reaction of all time...... at least, I hope so 🤔. Stay safe everyone xxx
PatinetzeroJ
Edited
I had a chat with my Doctor earlier. Bacterial infections are of more concern than viruses. If you normally cope well with colds then you should be ok with this but of course there is no guarantee. Keep social distancing measures in place - use family members to shop for you etc. There is no need to isolate yourself from others in your household. Keep hygiene levels up. Make sure other household members wash their hands as soon as they come in from outside, and make sure everyone washes hands on a regular basis. If you have no spleen or a poor functioning spleen but don't have any other conditions and are under 70, then I think the outcome is good. At least that's what I'm led to believe.
michelle54635 PatinetzeroJ
Edited
My sisters friend died of pneumonia, five days after it was diagnosed. This was twenty years ago but the doctors attributed it to the fact that she did not have a spleen...there was nothing they could do. This virus scares me as I, as well, do not have one. It was removed when I was 8...52 now. I am in Panama and do not want to risk international flights to get back to the US. Trying to isolate through this. It scares me and no, there is not much information. Everyone be safe .
karenjk michelle54635
Edited
What kind of pneumonia did she have? Most of us without a spleen have been vaccinated for bacterial pneumonia. I am frightened as well. I'm a senior.
michelle54635 PatinetzeroJ
Posted
Unfortunately I do not know. I will try to find out. I did not realize that there were different types. I have also been getting vaccinations, but honestly cannot remember when my last one was. I have really not thought much about it until recently.
Kdog PatinetzeroJ
Posted
I had my spleen removed in 1981 after a bike accident. Got my pneumococcal vaccination 3 weeks later, again when I was 28 and once more 5 months ago because I had pneumonia twice in the last 2 years. Supposed to get a Meningitis vaccination and HIB in the near future, but Covid-19 has put that on hold. I also have type 2 Diabetes, which I control with Metformin. I work in a retirement community where 1 of our residents tested positive for Coronavirus. Luckily, I have not been exposed to it. Nobody else has tested positive. We are checking temperature's of everyone who comes in, but I know that doesn't rule out possible exposure. Glad to still be working right now, but very worried. I'm also hoping to find some information on here. I do know that the spleen helps flood your system with white blood cells when needed to fight infections. It also filters bacterial infection out of our blood.Covid-19 is viral. Without a spleen, our liver and bone marrow help take over fighting infections. I cannot find any information regarding Covid-19 in relation to a splenectomy.
trudie69735 PatinetzeroJ
Edited
I'm worried about this too. Weirdly I hadn't thought about it until now as I had a splenectomy 10 years ago during an operation to take out my adrenal glands which has left me with Addison's disease and low immune system. I've been focusing on getting through this with Addison's and just realized I should also be worried about my lack of spleen. I'm doubly concerned now. During my previous illness and recuperation I had pheumonia 4 times, one of them being legionaires disease. I haven't really been ill for 10 years so have been a bit blazé as Ive felt fine. Any advice or input gratefully received. Healthy wishes to all.
deodatus PatinetzeroJ
Edited
I have not had a spleen since 1994 and have always been told to be careful of any infection, i take a low dose antibiotic every day and get the flu and pneumonia injection. so this must put me in the high risk group you would expect. I phoned my surgery and couple of weeks ago and they confirmed yes i would be in that group. Currently staying with my partner away from home at the moment, (so no post) i emailed the surgery asking what the government letter would say, they have now told me i'm not at high risk (by email)
Article by Sarah Jarvis on here says anyone being offered the Flu injection is at high risk ...
That's another call to the surgery then, i'm taking no chances and isolating, already furlough from work.
Steve
carol80650 deodatus
Edited
Lack of a spleen is in the second tier of concerns. The first tier is transplant recipients, blood cancers, cystic fibrosis etc.
I work in the NHS on an A&E desk. We got a screen installed last week which means there's no actual face to face contact with potential coved 19 patients. The NHS says that I can work there as long as hand hygiene is followed.
I think it all depends on your employer as my friend has Diabetes & works for the Park Dept & has been told to take 12 weeks off. And, yet, according to my NHS - Diabetes is second tier so just particular hygiene.
Stay safe xx
deodatus carol80650
Posted
I was sent home before i was furloughed so going to be off for the 12 weeks at least. thankyou for the reply,it's difficult to get facts as to the actual situation.