I need to know about white blood cells.What would make them low?

Question

My daughter is 15 yrs. old and she has been to the doctor for the last 2 days and her White blood cell count has been very low, she has been sick with a virus for 3 days. Could something be wrong with her because of her low blood count?

Answer 1

There is good info at the link below

Answer 2

Usually, when you are sick, the WBC (white blood cell) count goes up, as your body manufactures more of them,sending them out to fight the bacteria or infection.

That being said, there are always exceptions.

Some people just naturally have a low WBC (white blood count). It's normal for them and it has no effect on their health what so ever. The Dr. should test her again in a few weeks and see if it's changed. If it hasn't changed, and she's healthy, then that is the way she is.

There are some conditions that could cause a low WBC. Some cancers and autoimmune diseases could do that. Sometime the marrow will just slow down in it's production of WBC's too. If that was something the Dr. was suspecious of, then the next step would be to obtain a sample of the bone marrow.

Stick with the Dr. on this one. Ask him what he thinks and if a followup blood test should be done.

Good Luck!

PS... I have the same problem. Turns out Im in the majority of this group - people who just naturally have a low WBC. It has had no impact on my life what-so-ever!

Answer 3

More likely her white blood cell count is low because of her virus. Many viruses do that. When the virus clears up the count will rise. Viruses sometimes take a while to clear up because antibiotics don't work on them and antivirals tend to have limited effectiveness.

Answer 4

To prevent that, use vitamins... something like multivitamins product!

Answer 5

an infection or she might be anemic