Information for travellers without a spleen or with
impaired spleen function
Talking to one of our staff about health risks during your trip
have indicated you no longer have a spleen or have a spleen that no longer works properly.
This puts you at increased risk of a number of, sometimes life-threatening, infections. That is why
we recommend that you take additional measures:
General advice
- Since people without a spleen or with a spleen that no longer works properly are at greater risk of
certain infectious diseases, additional vaccinations are advised. This is regardless of whether you are travelling
goes or not. These are the vaccinations against meningococcal ACWY, pneumococcal,
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and influenza (see guideline RIVM1). Because this does not involve
to travel vaccinations, but to vaccinations you should also have in the Netherlands, you can
discuss with your GP or specialist whether these vaccinations are appropriate for you. Vaccines
prescribed by the GP or specialist are more likely to be eligible for reimbursement. - Always take a course of antibiotics with which to treat a fever (from 38.5°C) or after an animal bite
(of a dog or cat, for example) should start immediately (preferably within 1 hour). After that
it is important that you visit a doctor as soon as possible for further medical advice. A
You can get a prescription for the antibiotic treatment from your GP or have one of our
staff received. It is advisable to carry the antibiotic in your hand luggage and your
backpack/handbag with you.
Additional advice for when you travel
- If you are visiting an area where malaria may occur you should always use the most effective anti-malaria tablets in addition to anti-mosquito measures, even if for your healthy
fellow travellers only anti-mosquito measures or emergency treatment is advised. See
also the traveller leaflets 'Explanation of use: mosquito repellent on travel' and 'Malaria
'chemoprophylaxis' on the LCR website: www.lcr.nl. - Be extra alert for tick bites and protect yourself well against them, especially in wooded areas
areas in eastern North America. See also traveller's leaflet 'Insects and ticks' on the
LCR website www.lcr.nl. - If you are travelling to a country where meningitis is common, a vaccination against
meningococcal (meningococcal A, C, W135 and Y) advised. - Take a medical passport with you when you travel.
See also RIVM
Download the leaflet below!
