A blood test can help determine what is a dangerously low white blood cell count.
A low count of neutrophils (neutropenia)is defined as less than 1,500 per microliter of blood.
A weakened immune system can cause medical problems.
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Low white blood cells can also make it difficult for you to heal from injuries or recover from illnesses.
For example, abladder infectioncan cause urinary symptoms, and a stomach infection can cause nausea and vomiting.
Some medical conditions can also cause the destruction of white blood cells.
A low white blood cell count is often a sign of chronic disease.
But sometimes medications or infections can temporarily cause this problem due to the destruction of white blood cells.
This should resolve once the infection clears up or the medication is discontinued.
This can include getting regular blood tests to monitor your white blood cell count and surveillance for complications.
You may need symptomatic treatment, as well as treatment of the underlying cause.
Some medical conditions that cause low white blood cells are serious chronic illnesses, like HIV or blood cancers.
Coping with these health problems can be overwhelming.
The cause of a low white blood cell count can be identified with other diagnostic tests as well.
The specific testing depends on the signs, symptoms, and risk factors.
For example, anHIV testcan identifyHIV as the cause, while abone marrow biopsycan often identify blood cancer.
Examples of treatments may includeantiretroviral therapy for treating HIVor abone marrow transplantfor cancer.
These treatments require ongoing and close medical care.
It can lead to harmful health problems including infections, slow healing, and cancer.
A low white blood cell count doesnt cause symptoms, but the complications can.
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