2007-01-09 15:26:10 · 7 answers · asked by afua 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
Since white blood cells fight infections in your body, any decrease in these cells may increase your risk of getting infections and not being able to fight off infections. There are different types of white blood cells. Lymphocytes help you fight off viruses, neutrophils help you fight off bacterial infections, and monocytes help you fight off fungal infections. So, selective loss of any type of these white blood cells will affect different infectious agents.
2007-01-09 16:19:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fewer white blood cells means you are less likely to fight off an infection of any kind. While on chemo, as white cell count drops, the doctors keep track of this and then prescribe steroids to boost the cell count.
2007-01-11 15:27:16 · answer #2 · answered by swmiller888 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes the cause of a low white blood cell count can't be determined (idiopathic). Known causes of a low white blood cell count (leukopenia) include:
Infections, such as viral infections and HIV
Autoimmune disorders, such as lupus
Certain medications, especially those used in chemotherapy and some antibiotics
Radiation therapy
Bone marrow disease, such as leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes
White blood cells help fight infection in your body. A normal white blood cell count ranges from 4,500 to 10,000 cells per microliter of blood. A mild decrease in white blood cells below 4,500 cells per microliter doesn't necessarily indicate a serious illness. However, a dangerously low white blood cell count — below 2,500 cells per microliter — increases the risk of serious infection.
2007-01-09 23:34:50 · answer #3 · answered by meg 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your body's immune system can't fight off infections plain and simple but very serious they have a shot to take care of it---that's the good part!!!
2007-01-13 21:54:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your body is at risk for not being able to fight infection.
2007-01-09 23:34:07 · answer #5 · answered by QueenChristine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Decreased immunity--WBC's fight off infection
2007-01-09 23:34:08 · answer #6 · answered by sarabear318 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The inability to fight infection.
2007-01-11 13:42:20 · answer #7 · answered by pughugger 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋