Post-Splenectomy Infection Prevention and Management

Vaccination Schedule

The British Medical Association recommends reimmunization every 5-10 years for pneumococcal vaccine, with some guidelines suggesting every 6 years using a prime-boost strategy 2, 5
Annual influenza vaccine is required every year to reduce risk of secondary bacterial infections, particularly pneumococcal sepsis, as recommended by the World Journal of Emergency Surgery 1, 3
Meningococcal and H. influenzae type B vaccines should be verified as given initially; if not, they should be administered now, according to the World Journal of Emergency Surgery and BMJ 1, 3

Lifelong prophylactic antibiotics should be offered, though this is most critical in the first 2 years, as recommended by the BMJ 2, 3, 4
Emergency standby antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, should be kept at home to be taken immediately with any fever, chills, or malaise before seeking medical care, as advised by the World Journal of Emergency Surgery and BMJ 1, 3
Alternative antibiotics for penicillin allergy, such as levofloxacin or erythromycin, should be considered, according to the World Journal of Emergency Surgery and BMJ 1, 3

Any fever requires immediate medical attention with blood cultures before antibiotics and aggressive treatment with third-generation cephalosporins, as recommended by the World Journal of Emergency Surgery 1
Special precautions for animal bites are required, including a 5-day course of co-amoxiclav, due to increased susceptibility to C. canimorsus infection, as advised by the World Journal of Emergency Surgery, BMJ, and other guidelines 1, 2, 3

Patients should carry a medical alert card or wear a Medic-Alert bracelet identifying their asplenic status, as recommended by the BMJ 2, 3
Patients should inform all healthcare providers of their splenectomy before any procedures or treatments, according to the BMJ 2, 3
Patients should ensure their primary care physician has documentation of their splenectomy and vaccination history to coordinate ongoing care, as advised by the BMJ 2, 3