Pneumococcal Vaccine
Hello doctor … I am 27 years old, I live without a spleen. My body condition became weak. What I want to ask, do I need a pneumococcal vaccine huh doc? Previous thanks and warm greetings.
1 Answer:
Hello Tessa,
The spleen is an organ that plays an important role in the immune system. The spleen also plays a role in the regulation of red blood cells, which is to destroy red blood cells that are damaged / old. The act of removing the splenic organ is called splenectomy. Parts of the spleen that have been removed cannot regenerate or return to their original size.
A person can live without spleen organs at all. However, patients become very at risk of being infected (especially bacteria) and become seriously ill. Some bacteria that can cause severe disorders such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Neiserria meningitidis. These bacteria can cause severe pneumonia (pneumonia), meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain), and systemic infections (sepsis) which can pose a life-threatening danger to patients without spleen. Infections that occur in patients without a spleen can quickly become severe and can cause death.
Vaccines for these types of microorganisms are recommended for patients undergoing splenectomy. Some are even done before surgery, to prevent infection during treatment at the hospital.
Pneumococcal vaccine serves to prevent infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Treatment with antibiotics for certain cases after removal of the spleen also needs to be done. The CDC (disease control center of the United States) recommends a pneumococcal vaccine for the following patients:
Elderly patients (aged> 65 years) Patients aged 2-64 years with certain medical conditions Patients aged 19-64 years who are active smokers Thus my explanation, may be useful.
