"What Does Elevated White Blood Cell Count Indicate? How Should Medication Be Administered for High White Blood Cells?"
Understanding High White Blood Cell Counts and Medication Usage
During blood tests, some individuals may find that their results indicate a high white blood cell (WBC) count. However, they may be uncertain of its significance, prompting questions such as: "What does a high WBC count mean?" and "How do I address it?" The following information explains the meaning of high WBC counts and the appropriate medication usage.
What Does a High WBC Count Mean?
An elevated WBC count is typically caused by pathological factors. WBCs encompass lymphocytes, neutrophils, basophils, and eosinophils. An increase in any of these cell types results in an overall elevation of WBCs. Causes of WBC elevation include acute infections like appendicitis and pneumonia, as well as conditions like myocardial infarction, major surgery, malignancy, and leukemia. Additionally, illnesses such as chickenpox, infectious diseases, and hepatitis can also lead to increased WBC counts. Thus, upon discovering an elevated WBC count, it is advisable to assess the patient's clinical symptoms and other test results to determine the underlying cause and select an appropriate treatment plan.
Physiological factors can also contribute to WBC elevation. Intense physical activity, pregnancy, childbirth, exposure to extreme heat or cold can trigger physiological reactions resulting in increased WBCs. However, these increases are often minimal, and WBC levels return to normal once the relevant triggers are removed. Therefore, WBC abnormalities caused by these factors generally do not require specific treatment.
Medication Usage for High WBC Counts
The approach to medication depends on the underlying cause. For instance, if the elevated WBC count is due to lung infection accompanied by fever, cough, and sputum production, antibiotics or amoxicillin may be prescribed. In cases of urinary tract infections with symptoms like urgency, frequency, and dysuria, medications like Sanjin Pian (a traditional Chinese medicine) or levofloxacin can be used. If the increase is due to abdominal infections, an abdominal color Doppler ultrasound should be performed to identify the cause, followed by targeted treatment based on the diagnosis.
Upon discovering a high WBC count, it is essential to further investigate the underlying cause and address it accordingly. If the elevation is pathological, medication should be actively used to manage the condition. On the other hand, if it is physiological, addressing the triggering factors is sufficient.
