Drugs that may decrease WBC counts include antibiotics, anticonvulsants, antihistamine, antithyroid drugs, arsenicals, barbiturates, chemotherapeutic agents, diuretics and sulfonamides.
Can allergies affect white blood cell count?
A high white blood cell count isn’t a specific disease in itself, but it can indicate an underlying problem, such as infection, stress, inflammation, trauma, allergy, or certain diseases. That’s why a high white blood cell count usually requires further investigation.
What can affect white blood cell count?
Low white blood cell count
- Viral infections that temporarily disrupt the work of bone marrow.
- Certain disorders present at birth (congenital) that involve diminished bone marrow function.
- Cancer or other diseases that damage bone marrow.
- Autoimmune disorders that destroy white blood cells or bone marrow cells.
Can the flu cause low white blood cell count?
Viral infections: Acute viral infections, such as colds and influenza may lead to temporary leukopenia. In the short term, a viral infection may disrupt the production of white blood cells in a person’s bone marrow. Blood cell and bone marrow conditions: These can lead to leukopenia.
What medications affect WBC?
Drugs that may increase WBC counts include: Beta adrenergic agonists (for example, albuterol) Corticosteroids. Epinephrine.
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Drugs that may lower your WBC count include:
- Antibiotics.
- Anticonvulsants.
- Antithyroid drugs.
- Arsenicals.
- Captopril.
- Chemotherapy drugs.
- Chlorpromazine.
- Clozapine.
Should I worry about low white blood cell count?
A truly low white blood cell count also puts you at higher risk for infections — typically bacterial infections. But viral infections also may be a concern. To help reduce your infection risk, your doctor may suggest you wear a face mask and avoid anyone with a cold or other illness.
Can a fungal infection cause low white blood cell count?
The most common types of infection seen in neutropenic patients (patients with low white blood cell counts) are caused by bacteria normally found on the skin (such as Staphylococcus aureus) or from the gastrointestinal and urinary tract. Fungal infections are also more frequent in patients with neutropenia.
How do I increase my white blood cell count?
Poultry and Lean Meats. Foods high in protein, such as lean meats and poultry, are high in zinc — a mineral that increases the production of white blood cells and T-cells, which fight infection. Other great sources of zinc are oysters, nuts, fortified cereal, and beans.
What vitamin deficiency causes low white blood cells?
Leukopenia can be caused by vitamin or mineral deficiencies, such as deficiencies in: vitamin B-12. folate. copper.
How can I increase my white blood cells naturally?
15 Foods That Boost the Immune System
- Citrus fruits.
- Red bell peppers.
- Broccoli.
- Garlic.
- Ginger.
- Spinach.
- Yogurt.
- Almonds.
Can a virus cause low white blood count?
Infection: Viruses can affect your bone marrow and cause low WBCs for a while. Severe infections, like blood infections, can lead to your body using up WBCs faster than it can make them. HIV kills a specific kind of white blood cell.
What happens when you have a low white blood cell count?
White blood cells are produced by your bone marrow to help your body fight infection. If you have fewer than normal white blood cells, you have a higher risk of getting an infection. When you have a low white blood cell count, your immune system isn’t working as well as it should.
Are white blood cells elevated with flu?
When you get sick, your white blood cell count is higher than normal. This is because your body is releasing more of these cells to fight the infection.
How quickly can WBC count change?
In a person with normally functioning bone marrow, the numbers of white blood cells can double within hours if needed. An increase in the number of circulating leukocytes is rarely due to an increase in all five types of leukocytes.
Can inflammation increase WBC?
WBC count increases in inflammation. Systemic low-grade inflammatory response in obesity is associated with higher WBC counts and two- to three-fold increase in the systemic concentrations of CRP and IL-6 (18).
What destroy white blood cells?
A number of diseases and conditions may affect white blood cell levels: Weak immune system. This is often caused by illnesses such as HIV/AIDS or by cancer treatment. Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy can destroy white blood cells and leave you at risk for infection.