what does it mean to have low white cell count
This article will outline some causes of a low WBC count. It volition explain possible complications of a low WBC count and how to treat and prevent it.
Sexual activity and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms "male," "female," or both to refer to sex assigned at birth.
What can cause a low white blood prison cell count?
A depression WBC count can be caused by a diversity of conditions, equally well every bit sure medications. In some cases, there is no known cause.
Conditions that can crusade a low white blood cell count
A low WBC count can exist due to a diversity of different weather that either destroy WBCs or inhibit their production in the bone marrow. These include:
- Infection: Widespread infection can cause a low WBC count, including viral infections and conditions such as HIV. Malaria can as well cause a drop in WBC count.
- Damage to bone marrow: This damage may happen due to an infection, a condition, or a medical treatment, such as chemotherapy.
- Cancers that affect the os marrow: Such cancers include leukemia and multiple myeloma.
- Autoimmune disorders: These may include lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Hepatitis : This infection attacks WBCs.
- Claret disorders: Agranulocytosis is an example of a claret disorder that can cause a low WBC count.
- Radiations exposure: This can include medical treatments such as radiation therapy.
- Alcoholism: Excess alcohol consumption may lead to low numbers of WBCs.
- Malnutrition: Deficiencies in vitamin B12, folic acid, and overall calories can also cause a low WBC count.
Medications that can reduce the number of white blood cells
A depression WBC count tin as well be the result of medications or medical treatments that a doctor has given you lot for an underlying condition, such as:
- some antipsychotic treatments
- treatment for overactive thyroid
- antibiotics
- immunosuppressants
Treatments that can lower your WBC count include:
- chemotherapy
- radiation therapy
- bone marrow or stalk cell transplants
Symptoms
A low WBC count may accompany other symptoms, which vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder, or condition. Some symptoms can include:
- fever
- chills
- mouth sores
- animate trouble
- pain in the abdomen or rectum
Seek prompt medical intendance if you accept a low WBC count and accept signs of an infection, such as a fever, swollen lymph nodes, a sore throat, or peel lesions.
What are the potential complications of a depression white claret cell count?
A poorly controlled or untreated low WBC count can be serious and fifty-fifty life threatening due to increased vulnerability to potentially life threatening infectious diseases, such as:
- bloodstream infection (sepsis) or fungal infection
- methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection
- parasitic diseases
- pneumonia
Life threatening complications of these diseases include:
- organ failure
- recurrent and resistant infections that are difficult to treat
- septic shock
Contact your doctor if yous know you could have a low WCB count due to a condition or previous testing and observe you are experiencing frequent infections.
Anyone who has frequent infections should also contact their doctor to discuss the underlying crusade and identify an advisable treatment method.
Symptoms of an infection
Symptoms of an infection tin can include:
- fever
- chills
- sore throat
- recurrent mouth sores
- toothache
- rashes
- fatigue
- flu-like symptoms
Diagnosis
A low WBC count may be noticeable during routine testing or through the course of diagnosis and treatment for an underlying condition.
Doctors can check WBC count through lab tests on claret.
Healthy ranges for WBC counts are every bit follows:
These ranges may vary for children of different ages or people who are pregnant.
Handling
The correct treatment for low WBC will depend on what has caused the condition.
Frequently, treatment will involve antibiotics.
Doctors may also recommend treatments that tin can raise the number of WBCs again. This may involve myeloid growth factors, sometimes called colony-stimulating factors. These proteins help the os marrow produce more WBCs. These can include:
- filgrastim (Neupogen)
- tbo-filgrastim (Granix)
- pegfilgrastim (Neulasta)
If you are undergoing cancer treatment, doctors may recommend delaying treatment to give your trunk time to recover its WBC count.
Prevention
Because a low WBC count can be the outcome of an underlying condition, information technology is not always possible to preclude it.
However, a person with a depression WBC should apply the following tips to forestall getting an infection, as this could cause complications:
- Socially distance from people you know are sick.
- Avoid food poisoning by preparing and storing food safely.
- Regularly and thoroughly wash your easily.
- Employ an electrical shaver rather than a razor when shaving.
- Avoid sharing hot tubs with other people or swimming in rivers or ponds.
- Avoid changing diapers or cleaning beast feces.
- Clothing shoes when walking exterior.
Learn more tips on preventing infections with a low WBC count.
Summary
A low WBC count may exist the result of an underlying status, such as an infection, blood disorder, or autoimmune condition. If you know you have a low WBC count, try to avoid situations where you could get an infection.
If you lot feel frequent infections, contact your physician.
Source: https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/blood-conditions/low-white-blood-cell-count
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