People who have had a splenectomy or have poorly functioning spleens are at higher risk of infection. These patients require education about early identification of infections and may require additional immunisations or prophylactic antibiotics.

Spleen Australia is an organisation in Melbourne that provides resources to both patients and health professionals for dealing with absent or poorly functioning spleens. Currently patients from New South Wales cannot be registered with the service for education kits and vaccination reminders, but the service may undergo expansion in the future.

Information card for patients: Splenectomy card 2004 Wentworth (print and fold in two)

Information on preventing infections in asplenic and hyposplenic patients is also available from:

• NSW Health and our
• Local HNE-LHD guideline : internet link-  see AIMED guidelines page.
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