Your son can live perfectly well without a spleen although he will be at higher than normal risk of contracting serious or even life-threatening infections. We are all aware of this bean-shaped organ, a pair of which is present in our body. The kidney acts as a filter to keep the blood free of impurities. You can live without your spleen, but your … Wandering spleen – Wandering spleen (or Pelvic spleen) is a rare medical disease caused by the loss or weakening of the ligaments that help to hold the spleen stationary. Likewise, if you live or travel to areas where the Babesia parasite is found, you would be at greater risk without a spleen.   After splenectomy, you are at greater risk of bacterial infection. A spleen removal is called splenectomy and presents a radical intervention, so it needs to be carefully considered. Many people have had their spleen removed because of injuries and are living healthy lives. 3. However, the spleen is fairly commonly removed as a result of trauma, and you can live comfortably without it, since the liver does a fine job of recycling red blood cells, and other parts of the lymphatic system are able to take over any immune functions that the spleen was previously handling. Wandering spleen – Wandering spleen (or Pelvic spleen) is a rare medical disease caused by the loss or weakening of the ligaments that help to hold the spleen stationary.   This would especially be on Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts, but also Block Island off Rhode Island and Shelter Island, Fire … As you can live without your spleen, it is better to remove the spleen before the cancer spreads to other organs you can’t live without. In that case, you can live without it, letting your Lymph Nodes and Liver take on some of its responsibilities. If your spleen has to be taken out, you may have an increased risk of severe infection. However, your infection fighting abilities get diminished. When the spleen is removed, patients need to be vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia, a bacterial infection of the lungs and other organs. Most often, this occurs when the spleen ruptures after an abdominal injury, but it's also necessary as a treatment for certain cancers, blood disorders or infections. As you can live without your spleen, it is better to remove the spleen before the cancer spreads to other organs you can’t live without. Dr. Jim said the average Spleen weighs 6 ounces, but when infected with something like Mononucleosis, it can balloon up to 4 pounds, and even rupture. Kidney. Yes, you can live without a spleen. As mentioned before, the spleen is not crucial to survival and you can continue to lead an active life without it. However, the spleen is an important part of your body's defense system. The risk can be lowered by the administration of vaccines for pneumonia, meningitis and influenza prior to surgical removal of the spleen, if possible, or soon after. Can You Live Without Your Spleen? In some medical conditions, surgical removal of the spleen (splenectomy) might be the treatment of choice. In a year when venting spleen dominated much of public discourse, we consider the humble organ of that name. Without a spleen, serious infections can result following what would normally be minor illnesses. However, while it is possible to live without a spleen, that person will be more prone to infections. Although your spleen is a vital part of your immune system, sometimes doctors must remove it. How Can You Live Without Your Spleen? Despite the important functions of the spleen, you can live without one. 3. Therefore, vaccines are regularly used to protect against those risks. What if your Spleen ruptures or needs to be removed? 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