What does elevated white blood count mean

The presence of too many white blood cells can mean several things. As a vital component of the immune system, the body deploys white blood cells when it detects anything from a basic bacterial or viral infection, to a form of blood cancer (leukemia).

Too Many White Blood Cells

While having an elevated or abnormally high white blood cell count does not necessarily indicate leukemia, the source of the condition will need to be identified if it is found to exceed the levels and duration of a normal immune response to an infection.

What does elevated white blood count mean

The main causes of elevated white blood cells include:

  • To fight a viral, fungal, bacterial, or parasitic infection
  • A negative reaction to a drug that triggers an immune and white blood cell response
  • Disease or malfunction that causes the bone marrow to overproduce white blood cells
  • Disease or malfunction in the immune system that triggers an overproduction of white blood cells

When a high white blood cell count is not caused by general infections and immune system malfunctions or responses, it may be an indication of a more specific issue or condition, such as:

  • Acute 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
  • Polycythemia vera
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Smoking
  • Stress, such as severe emotional or physical stress
  • Tuberculosis
  • Whooping cough

Because a higher than normal white blood cell count is detected through a blood test, typically during a diagnostic evaluation to find the source of a specific symptom or a set of symptoms such as listed above, it is important to get timely medical attention for any symptoms that seem out of the ordinary and do not resolve on their own over time. The board-certified oncologists and blood cancer specialists at the Cancer Center of Southern California in Los Angeles offer the most cutting-edge and state of the art diagnostic technologies available.
White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, are broken up into five categories, and all have specific functions within the immune system:

Monocytes – largest of the white blood cells, have the exclusive ability to identify and engulf foreign particles

Neutrophils – attach to the walls of healthy blood vessels in order to prevent access of bacteria and infections through cuts or wounds

Lymphocytes – responsible for producing antibodies, lymphocytes also create immunity by storing a memory of the immune response once an illness or infection has been effectively targeted.

Basophils – responsible for the production of histamines, anticoagulants, and antibodies, and are part of the immune system’s “first response” against foreign invaders.

Eosinophiles – the main function of eosinophiles is to produce the toxins responsible for killing pathogens in the body, specifically parasites and worms. A high presence of eosinophiles in the body can be an indication of an allergic reaction.

Next, read Leukemia Cell Treatment.

What does elevated white blood count mean

What are white blood cells?

White blood cells (leukocytes) help protect your body from infection. Normally, when germs get inside your body, your body makes more white blood cells that search for and destroy the germs. Less often, there are medical problems where the body may make a lot more white blood cells than it needs.

What happens when you have a high white blood cell count?

Your white blood cell count may be high because your body is fighting an infection. But other things can cause it, such as some medicines, burns, an illness, or other health problems. When your doctor sees that your white blood cell count is high, he or she will try to find out why, and then treat the cause.

What are the symptoms?

A high white blood cell count alone doesn't cause any symptoms. The symptoms you feel may come from the medical problem that your white blood cells are fighting. For example, if you have pneumonia, you may have a fever and trouble breathing. These are symptoms of pneumonia, not of a high white blood cell count.

How is it treated?

  • Your doctor may do more tests to find the problem that's making your white blood cell count high. Once your doctor finds the problem, he or she may be able to treat it.
  • Part of your treatment may be telling your doctor if you feel worse. Watch your temperature, and call your doctor or nurse advice line if your fever goes up and stays up.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

Where can you learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

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What would cause your white blood count to be elevated?

A high white blood cell count usually indicates: An increased production of white blood cells to fight an infection. A reaction to a drug that increases white blood cell production. A disease of bone marrow, causing abnormally high production of white blood cells.

Is high white blood count serious?

Leukocytosis is a normal immune response and isn't always a cause for concern. Most of the time, it means that your body is fighting off infection or inflammation. However, there are times when a high white blood cell count could indicate something more serious, such as leukemia.

What happen if white blood cells are high?

A high white blood cell count may indicate that the immune system is working to destroy an infection. It may also be a sign of physical or emotional stress. People with particular blood cancers may also have high white blood cells counts.

What diseases does a high white blood cell count indicate?

A high white blood count may mean you have one of the following conditions:.
A bacterial or viral infection..
An inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis..
An allergy..
Leukemia or Hodgkin disease..
Tissue damage from a burn injury or surgery..