Question

During a football game a quarter back sustained a hard blow to the back and fell hard to the ground. As a result his spleen ruptured and was removed during emergency surgery. The player fully recovered, but his doctor told him that he would have to take extra pre cautions, such as anual flu vaccinations and frequent hand washing to prevent infections. Explain Why?

Answer 1

The spleen plays an important role in the immune system, therefore when the spleen is no longer present the immune system weakens and can cause the affected to become more susceptible to illness/infection. Furthermore, the affects individual will have a harder time fighting the illness/infection than someone with a full immune system.