SARS & no spleen ????

[buzz&woody'smom]

Hi All-

I am scheduled to go on 2 cruises this year the first being a short RCCL SOS and then Disney Magic. My DH wants to cancel bc of the SARS scare. I had a freak thing happen and had a ruptured splenic aneurysm while 36 weeks pregnant almost 2 years ago. He thinks I am more at risk bc of my allergy to penicillin and now not having a spleen. I know the WHO or CDC has not extended their warning to the cruise ships in the Carribean but should I be worried?
I did ask my Doctor and he answer was evasisve but he was not worried????

 

[mrsltg]

I wouldn't worry about it. I doubt you have a higher chance of contracting it on a cruise ship than you do anywhere else. Maybe you should consider driving to port if possible, though? I understand that it passes pretty easily on airplanes.

Erin

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

We are driving mostly bc when we flew last week it was a real hassle even though I support the hassle it is just easier to drive with little ones. Heck that is what the DVD player in the mini van is for. Thanks for your input!!!

 

[mrsltg]

Good luck and have a wonderful trip!

Erin

 

[WRH3MD]

Let me add my 2 cents....I am a surgeon who has taken out many a spleen. The risk after splenectomy is almost predominantly with bacterial infections and I am under the impression that SARS is viral. I would be more concerned about making sure I had a pneumovax vaccination and one against H. influenza. Most people, by the way, who are at risk after splenectomy, have had their spleens removed for hematologic reasons not from traumatic rupture or an unrelated problem like an aneurysm when there is really nothing intrinsically wrong with the spleen itself.

I'm sure this is more than you really wanted to know....I think your risk of SARS is no different than anybody else's.

Enjoy your cruises...take sunscreen. That's probably a bigger worry than SARS.

Wes

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

Thanks WRH3MD!

As a surgeon you really know what a fluke the rupured splenic aneurysm, splenectomy, distal pancenectomy and emergency thoracotomy were.........that being said you have made me feel better and just this week I order my medical alert bracelet with the notification of "asplenia" and multiple allergies.

I do know about the sun. 5 years ago next week while 5 weeks post partum with my DS I was diagnosed with melanoma. Luckily it was only .3mm Stage 1A, Clarks Level II so the prognosis is very, very good but I am at a 50% risk of developing another primary melanoma.

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts!!!

Tiff

 

[WRH3MD]

you're welcome. sounds like you had a rough time. As I always say, if it were fun people would be lining up to get their spleens out every day!

wes