This Will Happen If White Blood Cells Lack

White blood cells are cells that protect the body from various infections. Lack of white blood cells or leukopenia will cause the body vulnerable to infection. In addition, there are also other effects that can occur, depending on the type of white blood cells whose numbers are reduced. Normally, the number of white blood cells in adults is around 3,500-11,000 cells per microliter of blood. Someone is said to have leukopenia if the number of white blood cells is less than 3,500 cells per microliter of blood. There are various things that can cause a person to experience a shortage of white blood cells, including:
  • Disorders of blood cells and spinal cord, such as aplastic anemia.
  • Congenital abnormalities that cause bone marrow do not produce white blood cells, as in congenital neutropenia.
  • Cancer and therapies for cancer, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
  • Viral or bacterial infections, such as HIV / AIDS and tuberculosis.
  • The use of certain drugs, such as antiviral drugs, antibiotics, and steroids.
  • Autoimmune diseases, such as reumathoid arthritis and lupus.
  • Malnutrition, such as lack of vitamin B12, folate, and zinc.

Lack of White Blood Cells by Type

There are several types of white blood cells. That is why, the impact of white blood cell deficiency can be different, depending on the type of white blood cells whose numbers are reduced. The following is the explanation:

Neutrophil deficiency or neutropenia

Neutrophils are the type of white blood cell that has the most number in the body, which is 55-70% of the total white blood cell count. Neutrophil deficiency (neutropenia) can occur suddenly or slowly. Neutropenia has no specific symptoms, and is usually only detected during a blood test.

Basophile deficiency

The normal number of basophils is around 0.5-1% of the total white blood cells. Basophil deficiency can cause severe allergic reactions and cause infectious diseases difficult to cure.

Lymphocyte deficiency

Lymphocytes are also a type of white blood cell. Normally, lymphocyte counts are around 20-40% of the total white blood cell count. Some of the lymphocytes produced by the bone marrow will be flowed into the bloodstream and some into the lymphatic system. Lymphocyte deficiency is also called lymphocytopenia. Lymphocyte deficiency that is not too severe usually only causes flu symptoms that are not dangerous. But in some people, lymphocyte deficiency can increase the risk of other infections.

Handling of White Blood Cell Deficiency

Leukopenia or white blood cell deficiency often does not cause symptoms that are clear and only known after a complete blood test. Therefore, do a doctor's examination if you have risk factors as mentioned above, or if you feel more easily ill. If known early, leukopenia can be treated immediately before causing more severe disorders. Handling leukopenia will be adjusted to the conditions and causes. For example, if leukopenia is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor may give antibiotics to treat the infection. If the cause is the use of certain drugs or therapies, your doctor may consider changing the type of drug or reducing the dose of the drug.

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