Alfred Health News

People living without a functioning spleen can take greater control in preventing serious infections and stay healthy using a new iPhone application.

The Spleen Immunisation Education App, or SpleenIE, has been developed by infectious diseases experts at Alfred Health together with Monash University to give people without a spleen or a spleen that doesn't function to better manage their health in the palm of their hand.    

The spleen is the body's primary organ to fight bacteria and infections. Living with a non-functioning spleen leaves these people at lifelong risk of some fatal infections.

Manager, Spleen Australia, Penelope Jones says the mobile application, available for free download in the Apple AppStore, will change the lives of the 4,000 patients registered with Spleen Australia.

"The App has been designed to help people who do not have a spleen or have been told their spleen doesn't work. Serious infections can occur when not prevented or left untreated and are associated with 50-70 per cent mortality rate. Survivors may be left with significant morbidities, such as amputation".

"This application gives registered used access to the most up-to-date medical information about their vaccines in order to stay healthy and to stay informed about how to maintain a healthy lifestyle" Penelope said.  

Overtime, and with extra funding Spleen Australia hope to expand the application to all smartphone operating systems.

Users of SpleenIE can setup medication and vaccine reminders in their calendar on their iPhone or iPad, have a record of what vaccines they've had and read the latest material on how to stay healthy.

For more information visit the Spleen Australia website.