in the picture the spleen is intersecting with the stomach it is not clear if the overlapping portion is over or under the stomach.
- If it were true, we might. I'm guessing you are referring to the use of prophylactic antibiotics, and their use is not advised except in certain circumstances, and certainly not in most places for most people. There's information on this at asplenia; there could be more information added at splenectomy. - Nunh-huh 23:26, 14 Apr 2005 (UTC)
- Wouldn't you classify pneumococcal vaccination as medication? JFW | T@lk 10:15, 15 Apr 2005 (UTC)
- Not according to our own definition: A medication is a licenced drug or substance taken to reduce symptoms or cure an illness or medical condition. Anyway, these topics are covered adequately in asplenia, but it wouldn't hurt to make readers of this article more aware that they should go there. --Coneslayer (who's short a spleen)
- re comment above on antibiotics "not in most places", UK guidelines (Haematology Working Group report published in the BMJ) are that all patients undergoing a splenectomy/autosplenectomy receive antibiotics for at least 2 years or until aged 16 (http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/312/7028/430 in 1996 and its 2001 update http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/eletters/312/7028/430#12088). Indeed some advocate lifelong antibiotics or at least home supply to take at onset any URT/LRT/fever illness, but many patients defer starting such courses (see http://jcp.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/54/3/214). In practice of course antibiotics/vaccinations are poorly implemented although guidelines worldwide seem to now be fairly similar. Would adding these references to asplenia, spleen or splenectomy be helpful ? -- David Ruben 10:13, 17 Apr 2005 (UTC)
Question - My husband was told that his spleen was enlarged and he could die from it if he were in a car accident, or fell. He is currently in the hospital for pneumonia, but the Dr. wants to treat the problem of the enlarged spleen as an out patient. My Question: It would seem that staying in the hospital would be the better choice to monitor him, vs. discharging him? Especially since he is already there? Will the Dr. give him medication? For how long? Is there a reason why it got enlarged? I appreciate your help. Thank you.