What Does the Spleen Do?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
9. Infections
Although the spleen is part of the disease-fighting mechanism in the body, it can also be infected. If pathogens such as viruses infect the spleen it may become enlarged in a similar manner to what happens to lymph nodes when an infection develops close to its location.
Infections that commonly cause spleen enlargement include mononucleosis and malaria.
Advertisement
