White blood cells are an important part of the human body’s immune system. Their count decreases due to different causes and leads to various health problems. Here is some useful information about low white blood cell count.

Blood is a liquid connective tissue, composed of plasma and different types of cells. Blood plays an important role in supplying oxygen and nutrients to all the body organs. Its two major functions are: 1. Transportation of oxygen and carbon dioxide, ions, food molecules such as lipids, glucose and amino acids, hormones and wastes 2. Protection of the body against infection and foreign bodies. It consists of different types of cells such as Red Blood Cells (RBCs), White Blood Cells (WBCs) and Platelets/thrombocytes.

What are White Blood Cells?

White blood cells or leukocytes are the cells of the immune system. They protect the body against the foreign materials and infections. They are divided into two categories such as granulocytes and agranulocytes. The granulocytes are of three types such as neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils. Lymphocytes and monocytes are the agranulocytes. The normal count of white blood cells is 4,000-10,000/mm3. They have a short lifespan, ranging from a few days to a few weeks. These cells offer defensive properties to blood in order to fight against the infections and the invading foreign bodies such as bacteria and viruses. If number of leukocytes increases than the normal count, the condition is known as leukemia. If the white blood cell count is below normal, it is known as leukopenia. There may be decrease in individual leukocyte percentage, e.g. neutropenia, i.e., a decrease in number of neutrophils. The reduction of all types of white blood cells is known as panleukopenia.

Causes of Low White Blood Cell Count

An abnormal low white blood cell count is associated with a number of causes and medical conditions. Some of the causes of leukopenia are aplastic anemia, chemotherapy, autoimmune diseases such as lupus, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, liver diseases, spleen diseases, a deficiency of vitamins and minerals such as zinc and copper, and autoimmune diseases. Certain infections such as viral infections can cause low white blood cell count. Some of the medications including chemotherapy drugs, some of the antibiotics and immunosuppressive drugs also lead to leukopenia. Certain bone marrow diseases such as myelodysplastic syndrome or leukemia reduce the white blood cell count. Sometimes, the exact cause of leukopenia is not known, it is referred to as idiopathic.

Symptoms of Low White Blood Cell Count

When the white blood cell count is reduced, the body tends to catch the infection easily. Fever is the first indication of infection. The gastrointestinal system and bladder are the areas of potential infection. Hence, watch for the symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach cramps, rectal bleeding and urination problems. Mouth sores, sore gums or canker sores also indicate the decreased white blood cell count. Sore throat, cough, headache and sneezing are the signs of lung or sinus infection. Whenever you notice these symptoms, consult the doctor and if needed, have the blood test to determine the white cell count.

Effects of Low White Blood Cell Count

A reduction in white blood cell count leads to weakened immune system, as these cells are an integral part of the immune system. A person with low white blood cell count is at higher risk of bacterial, fungal and viral infections due to a compromised immune system. The infections of gastrointestinal system, lungs, throat and bladder are are some typical examples of low white blood cell count infections.

Treatment for Low White blood Cell Count

When you notice the symptoms of infection due to leukopenia, you should immediately consult the doctor. Complete blood count and absolute neutrophil count are the commonly recommended tests for the diagnosis of leukopenia. Sometimes, a bone marrow examination is suggested by the doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

The medications used to treat leukopenia are known as ‘growth factors’. They consist of cytokines, which stimulates the bone marrow to produce more number of white cells. Two commonly prescribed drugs are filgrastim and pegfilgrastim. Some antimicrobial medications and antibiotics are also prescribed by the doctors to treat the infections. If low white blood cell count is due to the chemotherapy drugs, it is advised to delay the chemotherapy treatment or reduce the chemotherapy dose. Have a balanced and nutritious diet.

Precautions for People with Low White Blood Cell Count

People with low white blood cell count need to take some precautions in order to minimize the risk of infection. Hands are the means of a spread of infections. Hence, wash your hands frequently with soap and plenty of water. Dry and chapped skin is more prone to infection. In order to keep your skin moisturized, use a body lotion after each wash. Try to avoid large crowds in order to avoid any contact with the infected and sick people. Stay away from the things that can cause cuts or wounds on your skin. Wear gloves and mask whenever possible. If you have any kind of wound or trauma, get it treated immediately.

By Reshma Jirage
Published: 6/27/2008

The immune system is the system of specialized cells and organs that protect an organism from outside biological influences.

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(Though in a broad sense, almost every organ has a protective function - for example, the tight seal of the skin or the acidic environment of the stomach.) When the immune system is functioning properly, it protects the body against bacteria and viral infections, destroying cancer cells and foreign substances.

If the immune system weakens, its ability to defend the body also weakens, allowing pathogens, including viruses that cause common colds and flu, to grow and flourish in the body.

The immune system also performs surveillance of tumor cells, and immune suppression has been reported to increase the risk of certain types of cancer..

For more information about the topic Immune system, read the full article at Wikipedia.org, or see the following related articles:

Natural killer cell — Natural killer cells (also known as NK cells, K cells, and killer cells) are a type of lymphocyte (a white blood cell) and a component of innate …  > read more

White blood cell — White blood cells (also called leukocytes or immune cells) are cells which form a component of the blood. They help to defend the body against …  > read more

T cell — T cells are a subset of lymphocytes that play a large role in the immune response. The abbreviation “T” stands for thymus, the organ in which their …  > read more

Antiviral drug — Antiviral drugs are a class of medication used specifically for treating viral infections. Like antibiotics, specific antivirals are used for …  > read more

Note: This page refers to an article that is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the article Immune system at Wikipedia.org. See the Wikipedia copyright page for more details.

Science Daily (Apr. 27, 2007) — There is no evidence that antioxidant supplements interfere with the therapeutic effects of chemotherapy agents, according to a recent systematic review of the use of antioxidants during chemotherapy, available in the May, 2007 issue of the peer-reviewed journal Cancer Treatment Reviews. In fact, they may help increase survival rates, tumor response, and the patient’s ability to tolerate treatment.

This conclusion has important implications for patients whose oncologists discourage the use of antioxidant supplements during treatment. Until now, their concern has been that these supplements may counteract the tumor-shrinking abilities of the chemotherapy.

“This review demonstrates that there is no scientific support for the blanket objection to using antioxidants during chemotherapy. In addition, it also appears that these supplements may help mitigate the side effects of chemotherapy,” said Keith I. Block, MD, lead author of the study and Medical Director of the Block Center for Integrative Cancer Treatment. “This is significant because it increases the likelihood that patients will be able to complete their treatment.”

Co-author Dr. Robert Newman, Professor of Cancer Medicine at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center said, “This study, along with the evolving understanding of antioxidant-chemotherapy interactions, suggests that the previously held beliefs about interference do not pertain to clinical treatment.”

The analysis, titled “Impact of Antioxidant Supplementation on Chemotherapeutic Efficacy: A Systematic Review of the Evidence from Randomized Controlled Trials,” evaluated 845 articles from five scientific databases that examined the effects of taking natural antioxidant supplements concurrent with chemotherapy.

Out of the 845 studies that were analyzed, 19 met all evaluation criteria. These included the use of randomized trials with a control group, and the reporting of treatment response (tumor shrinkage) and survival data. The 1,554 patients represented had a variety of cancer types, and most had advanced or relapsed disease. Some of the antioxidants used in the trials included glutathione, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, ellagic acid, selenium and beta carotene.

Among the findings:

• All of the studies that included survival data showed similar or better survival rates for the antioxidant group than the control group.
• None of the trials supported the theory that antioxidant supplements diminish the effectiveness of chemotherapy treatments.
• All but one of the studies that reported treatment response showed similar or better response in the antioxidant group than in the control group.
• 15 of 17 trials that assessed chemotherapy toxicities, including diarrhea, weight loss, nerve damage and low blood counts, concluded that the antioxidant group suffered similar or lower rates of these side effects than the control group.

The authors noted that reducing side effects may help patients avoid having to cut back on their chemotherapy dosing, interrupt scheduled treatments, or abandon treatment altogether. This in turn, is likely to favorably impact treatment outcomes. A recent study of a group of colon cancer patients indicated that those who completed their full prescribed schedules of chemotherapy had survival rates nearly double those of patients who abandoned their chemotherapy treatment prematurely.

This new study encourages further exploration of the potential importance of antioxidant supplements as a means of improving cancer survival.

Block Center for Integrative Cancer Treatment (2007, April 27). Antioxidants May Aid Chemotherapy Patients. Science Daily.

Some types of chemotherapy make it harder for your bone marrow to produce new white blood cells. White blood cells help your body fight infection. Therefore, it is important to avoid infections, since chemotherapy decreases the number of your white blood cells.

There are many types of white blood cells. One type is called neutrophil. When your neutrophil count is low, it is called neutropenia. Your doctor or nurse may do blood tests to find out whether you have neutropenia.

It is important to watch for signs of infection when you have neutropenia. Check for fever at least once a day, or as often as your doctor or nurse tells you to. You may find it best to use a digital thermometer. Call your doctor or nurse if your temperature is 100.5°F or higher.

• Your doctor or nurse will check your white blood cell count throughout your treatment. If chemotherapy is likely to make your white blood cell count very low, you may get medicine to raise your white blood cell count and lower your risk of infection.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Be sure to wash your hands before cooking and eating, and after you use the bathroom, blow your nose, cough, sneeze, or touch animals. Carry hand sanitizer for times when you are not near soap and water.
• Use sanitizing wipes to clean surfaces and items that you touch. This includes public telephones, ATM machines, doorknobs, and other common items.
• Be gentle and thorough when you wipe yourself after a bowel movement. Instead of toilet paper, use a baby wipe or squirt of water from a spray bottle to clean yourself. Let your doctor or nurse know if your rectal area is sore or bleeds or if you have hemorrhoids.
• Stay away from people who are sick. This includes people with colds, flu, measles, or chicken pox. You also need to stay away from children who just had a “live virus” vaccine for chicken pox or polio. Call your doctor, nurse, or local health department if you have any questions.
• Stay away from crowds. Try not to be around a lot of people. For instance, plan to go shopping or to the movies when the stores and theaters are less crowded.

• Be careful not to cut or nick yourself. Do not cut or tear your nail cuticles. Use an electric shaver instead of a razor. And be extra careful when using scissors, needles, or knives.
• Watch for signs of infection around your catheter. Signs include drainage, redness, swelling, or soreness. Let your doctor or nurse know about any changes you notice near your catheter.
• Maintain good mouth care. Brush your teeth after meals and before you go to bed. Use a very soft toothbrush. You can make the bristles even softer by running hot water over them just before you brush. Use a mouth rinse that does not contain alcohol. Check with your doctor or nurse before going to the dentist.
• Take good care of your skin. Do not squeeze or scratch pimples. Use lotion to soften and heal dry, cracked skin. Dry yourself after a bath or shower by gently patting (not rubbing) your skin.
• Clean cuts right away. Use warm water, soap, and an antiseptic to clean your cuts. Do this every day until your cut has a scab over it.
• Be careful around animals. Do not clean your cat’s litter box, pick up dog waste, or clean bird cages or fish tanks. Be sure to wash your hands after touching pets and other animals.
• Do not get a flu shot or other type of vaccine without first asking your doctor or nurse. Some vaccines contain a live virus, which you should not be exposed to.
• Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Do not leave leftovers sitting out. Put them in the refrigerator as soon as you are done eating.

• Wash raw vegetables and fruits well before eating them.
• Do not eat raw or undercooked fish, seafood, meat, chicken, or eggs. These may have bacteria that can cause infection.

• Do not have food or drinks that are moldy, spoiled, or past the freshness date.
• Call your doctor right away (even on the weekend or in the middle of the night) if you think you have an infection. Be sure you know how to reach your doctor after office hours and on weekends. Call if you have a fever of 100.5°F or higher, or when you have chills or sweats. Do not take aspirin, acetaminophen (such as Tylenol®), ibuprofen products, or any other drugs that reduce fever without first talking with your doctor or nurse. Other signs of infection include:
  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Rash
  • Chills
  • Cough
  • Earache
  • Headache
  • Stiff neck
  • Bloody or cloudy urine
  • Painful or frequent need to urinate
  • Sinus pain or pressure

Damage to the lining of the mouth and a weakened immune system make it easier for infection to occur.

Oral mucositis breaks down the lining of the mouth, allowing germs and viruses to get into the bloodstream. When the immune system is weakened by chemotherapy, even good bacteria in the mouth can cause infections, as can disease-causing organisms picked up from the hospital or other sources. As the white blood cell count gets lower, infections may occur more often and become more serious. Patients who have low white blood cell counts for a long time are more at risk of developing serious infections. Dry mouth, common during radiation therapy to the head and neck, may also raise the risk of infections in the mouth. Preventive dental care during chemotherapy and radiation therapy can reduce the risk of mouth, tooth, and gum infections.

The following types of infections may occur:

Bacterial infections

Treatment of bacterial infections in patients who have gum disease and receive high-dose chemotherapy may include the following:

• Medicated and peroxide mouth rinses.
• Brushing and flossing.
• Wearing dentures as little as possible.

Bacterial infections in patients undergoing radiation therapy are usually treated with antibiotics.

Fungal infections

The mouth normally contains fungi that can exist on or in the body without causing any problems. An overgrowth of fungi, however, can be serious and requires treatment.

Antibiotics and steroid drugs are often used when a patient receiving chemotherapy has a low white blood cell count. These drugs change the balance of bacteria in the mouth, making it easier for a fungal overgrowth to occur. Fungal infections are common in patients treated with radiation therapy.

Drugs may be given to prevent fungal infections from occurring. Treatment of surface fungal infections in the mouth only may include mouthwashes and lozenges that contain antifungal drugs. These are used after removing dentures, brushing the teeth, and cleaning the mouth. An antibacterial rinse should be used on dentures and dental appliances and to rinse the mouth.

Deeper fungal infections, such as those in the esophagus or intestines, are treated with drugs taken by mouth or injection.

Viral infections

Patients receiving chemotherapy, especially those with weakened immune systems, are at risk of mild to serious viral infections. Finding and treating the infections early is important. Drugs may be used to prevent or treat viral infections.

Herpes virus infections may recur in radiation therapy patients who have these infections.

Bleeding

Bleeding may occur during chemotherapy when anticancer drugs affect the ability of blood to clot.

Areas of gum disease may bleed on their own or when irritated by eating, brushing, or flossing. Bleeding may be mild (small red spots on the lips, soft palate, or bottom of the mouth) or severe, especially at the gumline and from ulcers in the mouth. When blood counts drop below certain levels, blood may ooze from the gums.

With close monitoring, most patients can safely brush and floss throughout the entire time of decreased blood counts.

Continuing regular oral care will help prevent infections that may further complicate bleeding problems. The dentist or doctor can provide guidance on how to treat bleeding and safely keep the mouth clean when blood counts are low.

Treatment for bleeding during chemotherapy may include the following:

• Medications to reduce blood flow and help clots form.
• Topical products that cover and seal bleeding areas.
• Rinsing with a mixture of one part 3% hydrogen peroxide to 2 or 3 parts saltwater solution (1 teaspoon of salt in 4 cups of water) to help clean oral wounds. Rinsing must be done carefully so clots are not disturbed.