Among the various types of mechanisms intended to counter an infection, white blood cells form the first barrier to its spread after its penetration inside the body. Although white cells, also known as leukocytes, constitute only about one percent of blood contents, their functioning is vital for the immune systems (Smith, 2018). Therefore, monitoring the white blood cell count and detecting its anomalies is a critical step in identifying diseases and assessing the response to them.
In most cases, an increased number of leukocytes is a direct sign of an infection. The growing trend can be identified either for all white blood cells or a specific type. Among the elements, which demonstrate the presence of inflammation and its current stage, it is worth mentioning neutrophils. At the disease onset, their consumption rapidly increases at the infection site, driving the overall white blood cell count “under the normal reference range” (Honda et al., 2016, p. 49). However, it takes only a few hours for the bone marrow to respond to the initial drop and start an increased production of neutrophils. This leads to a rise in the total white blood cell count, usually detected when a person consults a physician. It needs to be noted that it is a positive indication at this stage, showing that “the host is able to control the bacterial infection” (Honda et al., 2016, p. 49). Later on, the production of neutrophils decreases along with their consumption, and the total quantity of leukocytes returns to a standard value.
The process mentioned above demonstrates the causes of an increased white blood count during an infection and the way it can indicate its severity. Still, it is necessary to admit that, in some cases, the production of leukocytes may be suppressed by medications or immune disorders (Smith, 2018). Besides, physical and emotional stresses can be a factor causing a rise in their quantity. Therefore, an elevated white blood cell count is a valuable indication of an infection, but it should be used carefully in combination with other diagnostic means.
References
Honda, T., Uehara, T., Matsumoto, G., Arai, S., & Sugano, M. (2016). Neutrophil left shift and white blood cell count as markers of bacterial infection. Clinica Chimica Acta, 457, 46–53. Web.
Smith, L. (2018). What to know about high white blood cell count? Medical News Today. Web.