Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.I was just diagnosed with HIV this last week, and have a ton of questions. I see the doctor on Tuesday for more tests. One of my concerns is that I had my spleen removed this last year. The spleen helps filter the blood, and with that gone am I at a higher risk of getting full blown AIDS quicker or can I live a long while?
I'm sorry that you got this news, and I'm sure your mind is racing with questions and complicated feelings. I would urge you to try to be calm. Your life will continue as it was before, there will just be new responsibilities to deal with, but you will. It seems to take most folks a good six months to a year to get used to this new reality, but, invariably, they do.
As for your question, the spleen does have a role in immune function, but it is not indispensable, even with HIV. I don't think you are at increased risk for HIV disease progression, but you are at increased risk for a specific type of pneumonia. You should get a Pneumovax vaccine for Pneumococcal pneumonia. You should probably get a "booster" vaccine every five years, or so, to be sure.
Take it easy on yourself. There is a section called, "Day One" on Aegis. It's worth a look.
Good luck....you're going to be fine.
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