Why does being asplenic or having a spleen that does not function normally put someone at greater risk from flu and its effects?

 

At Risk Group: Asplenia

  • Asplenia or splenic dysfunction1

Risk
The spleen plays a vital role in clearing bacteria from the blood. If you don't have a spleen, or it's not functioning properly, a minor infection can develop into a serious infection known as 'sepsis'.2 Flu makes you prone to getting pneumonia which can develop into severe infection.2,3

 

Nurse Jenny Greenfield, Flu Lead/Lead Nurse Cervical Screening Improvement, Public Health Directorate, discusses why those who have problems with the spleen or who have no spleen are at risk from the serious effects of flu.

 

Asplenia - Slides

You can download the slides from the presentation here:

 

References

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1. Department of Health.  Immunisation against infectious disease (Green Book) May 2011. TSO
2. http://www.unboundmedicine.com/merckmanual/ub/view/Merck-Manual-Symp/251093/all/appendix_ii__the_immunosuppressed_patient . Accessed June 2011
3. Musher DM. In Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds.  Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, 4th Edition Churchill Livingstone; 1995 p1811-1826

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