Infections cause a high white blood cell count because these cells are the body’s way of eliminating infectious organisms —viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.
Is a high white blood cell count always infectious?
A high white blood cell count is not always infectious, though this is the most common reason. Several other conditions can lead to a higher-than-normal number of white blood cells. Stress reaction...
What happens to your white blood cells when you have viruses?
This is due to the white blood cells’ function in the body. If the white blood cells are busy attacking a virus or infection, they may be so focused on the big fight that they miss out on other issues that come up at the same time.
What causes an elevated white blood cell count?
Some of the lesser issues that may be behind an elevated white blood cell count include: 1 Smoking 2 Stress 3 Exercise 4 Allergies 5 Some medications, such as corticosteroids
What are the symptoms of elevated white blood cells?
People who are suffering from elevated white blood cells may also end up suffering from symptoms like fever, fainting, bruising, weight loss, general pain, and even, in some extreme cases, bleeding. This is due to the white blood cells’ function in the body.
What infections cause white blood cells to be high?
Advertising & SponsorshipAcute lymphocytic leukemia.Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)Allergy, especially severe allergic reactions.Chronic lymphocytic leukemia.Chronic myelogenous leukemia.Drugs, such as corticosteroids and epinephrine.Infections, bacterial or viral.Myelofibrosis (a bone marrow disorder)More items...•
Why is my white blood cell count high if I'm not sick?
Produced in your bone marrow, they defend your body against infections and disease. But, when there are too many white blood cells, it usually means you have infection or inflammation in your body. Less commonly, a high white blood cell count could indicate certain blood cancers or bone marrow disorders.
Why would my white blood cell count be high?
Causes of a High White Cell Count Infections cause a high white blood cell count because these cells are the body's way of eliminating infectious organisms—viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.
What viral infections affect white blood cells?
infection, such as influenza, HIV, and hepatitis. inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) granulomatosis with polyangiitis, which is a condition that causes the inflammation of the blood vessels.
Can Covid cause high white blood cell count?
Conclusion. In conclusion, our study suggests that WBC count at admission is significantly corelated with death in COVID-19 patients. Higher level of WBC count (≥ 6.16 × 10^9/L) should be given more attention in the treatment of COVID-19.
What is an alarming white blood cell count?
In general, for adults a count of more than 11,000 white blood cells (leukocytes) in a microliter of blood is considered a high white blood cell count.
What should I do if my WBC is high?
Treatments for high white blood cell countAntihistamines or inhalers for allergies.Antibiotics for bacterial infections.Changes to medication if caused by a drug reaction.Treatment for inflammatory conditions.Treatment for anxiety and stress.
How long does it take for WBC to return to normal?
Depending on the type of infection, WBC can take from 5 days to 25 days for levels to return back to normal. For instance, a study has found that patients who contracted COVID-19 took between 2 to 6 weeks after the onset of symptoms for their WBC count to return to normal.
What indicates viral infection on CBC?
A simple and very informative test is the white blood cell “differential”, which is run as part of a Complete Blood Count. The white blood cell “differential” will usually tell you whether you have a bacterial infection or a viral infection.
Can a sinus infection affect your white blood count?
This infection may lead to increase in the white blood cell counts. Allergies or hay fever giving rise to sinusitis may cause rise in specific type of white blood cells called the Eosinophil.
What is an example of a viral infection?
A few notable examples that have garnered the attention of the public health community and the population at large include: COVID 19, Ebola, SARS, Influenza, Zika, Yellow fever, Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV / AIDS), Human papillomavirus (HPV), Viral gastroenteritis, Varicella, and Viral hepatitis.
Elevated White Blood Cell Count: What Is The Normal WBC Count?
Before you can figure out what an elevated white blood cell count is, you need to know what a normal white blood cell count. The scale for a normal...
Causes of Elevated White Blood Cell Count
An elevated white blood cell count is called leukocytosis and can be evidence that your body is trying to fight off something. If your test results...
How Elevated White Blood Cells Can Affect You
Your doctors have determined that, for some reason, you have an elevated white blood cell count. We know it may indicate an underlying condition in...
Can Food Help Lower Elevated White Blood Cells Count?
There are a number of foods that can help you lower your white blood cell count naturally. The following foods can not only help you lower the whit...
Preparing For White Blood Cell Count Test
With many medical tests, there are various things you have to do to prepare such as fasting or drinking a special liquid to make certain things sho...
Elevated White Blood Cell Counts Should Be Monitored
Since white blood cells help fight disease, viruses, and infections, you may assume that an elevated white blood cell count is a good thing. Sadly,...