Death of actress Charlbi Dean: the probable cause revealed

in collaboration with

Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director)

The news surprised the world of cinema: Charlbi Dean, promising actress who shone in the last Palme d’Or, died in a few hours in a hospital in New York, according to information TMZ from August 30th. An announcement that has not failed to fuel the craziest rumors, aimed in particular at the vaccine against covid. If the autopsy has not yet been carried out, the family protests against a “ridiculous” rumor and reveals that a viral infection of the lungs is the cause of the death of the actress.

Removal of the spleen which increases the risk of infection

For Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor and medical director of Doctissimo, the actress was indeed able to succumb to a dazzling lung infection, due to her state of health: “What we learned recently is that Charlbi Dean was “splenectomized” in 2009, that is to say that she had her spleen removed following an accident. However, the organ is an integral part of the immune system. Its absence is an important risk factor in rather pneumococcal infections. In people who have had a splenectomy, infections can flare up very quickly” he confirms.

Pneumococcal infection: what precautions?

The sad end of the actress, however, can highlight some simple reminders in people affected by a splenectomy, or a failing immune system:

• Consult a health professional urgently in case of symptoms that suggest a lung infection: difficulty breathing, fever, chest pain, etc.
• Checking your vaccination status and getting vaccinated against pneumococcal infection (13-valent or 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine) is particularly recommended, because the removal of the spleen exposes subjects to rapid pulmonary infections.
• Finally, the doctor recommends bringing, in the same way as a tensiometer, an oximeter or saturometer at home, in order to quickly and in real time assess the oxygen level in the blood.