A white blood count The number of white blood cells in the blood is measured. White blood cells are considered part of the immune system. They can help the torso fight infections and other diseases.
When illness strikes, the torso forces more white blood cells to fight bacteria, microorganisms, and other foreign substances. This increases the white blood cell count. count .
Other diseases increase the likelihood that the body will be forced to produce more white blood cells than necessary. This decreases the white blood cell count. count Diseases that are likely to cause a decrease in field white blood cells count include some cancers and HIV/AIDS, a viral disease that affects white blood cells. Certain drugs, including chemotherapy, can still lower white blood cell counts.
There are five main types of white blood cells
- Neutrophils
- Lymphocytes
- Monocytes
- Eosinophils
- basophils
A white blood count The total number of these cells in the blood is measured. Another test, blood differential, measures the number of white blood cells.
Other names: WBC count , white cell count , white blood cell count
What is it used for?
A white blood count It is usually used to diagnose symptoms associated with an elevated white blood cell count count or low white blood cell count. count .
Symptoms associated with an elevated white blood cell count count include:
- Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, conditions that force the immune system to attack healthy tissue
- Bacterial or viral infections
- Cancer, such as anemia or Hodgkin’s disease.
- Allergic reactions
Symptoms associated with decreased white blood cell counts count include:
- Immune system diseases such as HIV/AIDS
- Lymphoma, bone marrow cancer
- Diseases of the liver or spleen.
A white blood count A very high or very low white blood cell count can be indicative but not diagnostic. For example, it is usually combined with other tests such as absolute blood counts, blood fractions, and blood smears. count blood differential, blood smear and/or bone marrow examination.
Why is a white blood cell test needed? count ?
Symptoms of infection, inflammation, or autoimmune disease may require this test. Signs of infection include
Symptoms of inflammation and autoimmune disease will vary depending on the area of inflammation and the similarity of the disease.
This test may be necessary if you have a disease that weakens your immune system or if you are taking medications that reduce your immune response. If the analysis shows that the white blood cell count is count too low, the health care provider will be given the opportunity to modify the cure.
Newborns or even older infants can be tested as part of a brief screening or for signs of leukocyte disease.
What happens during a white blood cell test count ?
The physician takes blood from a vein in the arm with the help of a small needle. After the needle goes in, a small amount of blood is collected in a tube or bottle. A small burning sensation is felt as the needle goes in and out.
To test the child, the nurse will employ a sample of heel (newborns and small children) or fingertip (older babies and children). The doctor wipes the heel or fingertip with alcohol using a small needle in this room. The doctor catches a few drops of blood and places a bandage in the room.
Need to create something in preparation for the test?
No special substance is needed to donate white blood. count .
Are there any risks associated with the test?
After the blood test, there is a possibility of slight pain and bruising in the room where the needle is inserted, but most signs disappear quickly.
The risk to the baby of a needle puncture is very small. The baby may feel a small injection when punctured in that area and may have a small bruise in that area. This should disappear quickly.
What do the results mean?
A high white blood count It may mean that you have one of these disorders
- Bacterial or viral infection.
- Inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis.
- Allergies.
- Leukemia or Hodgkin’s disease.
- Tissue damage from burns or manipulation.
A low white blood count It may mean that you have one of these disorders
- Bone marrow damage. This can be caused by infection, disease, or treatment such as chemotherapy.
- Cancer affecting the bone marrow.
- Autoimmune diseases such as lupus (or SLE).
- HIV/AIDS.
If you have already been treated for a white blood cell count disorder, your results will give you signs or your treatment, and whether you will get better.
If you have questions about your results, talk to your doctor.
Is there anything else I should know about white blood? count ?
White blood count Results are often associated with the results of other blood tests, including differential blood tests. The differential blood test shows the number of white blood cells, such as neutrophils and lymphocytes. Neutrophils focus primarily on bacterial infections. Lymphocytes focus primarily on viral infections.
- A high number of neutrophils is called a neutrophil.
- Levels of recognized criteria are commonly referred to as neutropenia.
- A higher than normal number of lymphocytes is termed lymphocytosis.
- A lower than normal number of lymphocytes is known as lymphopenia.
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