Abstract:Background
The spleen removes microorganisms from the bloodstream and produces antibodies for enhanced immune response. Patients with asplenia are at increased risk for infections caused by encapsulated organisms and have a 6-fold increased risk of sepsis compared to the general population. Those that acquire an infection have a mortality rate of 80%. The CDC recommends administering the meningococcal, influenza, pneumococcal, and Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine at least 2 weeks b… Show more
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