Why doctors count the number of blood cells to know if the patient has infection?

Answer 1

White blood cells are defence mechanism in our body .when white blood cells are increased than the normal range(Leucocytosis), they show infection.

leucocytes count may be vary depend upon the infection.

In Leukemia white blood cell count may be 50000 to 200000/cumm.

When the leucocytes count decreases than the normal range it is called leucopenia.

In many diseases leucocyte count can be decrease such as typhoid.

In Aplastic anaemia and in pancytopenia white cell decreases.

leucocytes are of two types granulocytes and agranulocytes.

Polymorphs, Eosinophils, Basophils are granulocytes and lymphocytes and monocytes are agranulocytes. Each of these play important role such as:-

increase in polymorph count found in many bacterial infections,inflammations,tissue necrosis,etc.

B and T lymphocytes responsible of humoral and cellular immunity respectively.

monocytosis is seen in chronic infection, monocytic leukaemia etc.

Eosinophilia related to allergic dis.,parasitic infestation etc.

Basophil may have a role in some allergic reaction.

So,A simple test T.L.C. help in many ways to diagnose the pt.

that is the reason doctors do blood tests to count white blood cells.

Answer 2

A higher than normal White blood cell (WBC) count indicates a stimulated immune system, normally due to infection or Allergies. There are different kinds of WBCs. The count of each means a different thing. A lower than normal count indicates a suppressed immune system.

Answer 3

I take it this question refers to why doctors order a numerical value of white blood cells (ie: the "white count" portion of the complete blood count). And this is a very important exam because changes in the white blood cell count can indicate the nature of many underlying disease processes. Increased white blood cell counts can indicate infections, inflammatory conditions (like rheumatoid arthritis, temporal arteritis, crohn's disease, etc...) or cancers. Decreases in white blood cell counts can also indicate infections (like AIDS) or cancers (cancer can cause the white count to go up or down, depending on the cancer). Taking a second to look at the white count can give a doctor a plethora of information regarding the context in which your clinical symptoms should be assessed.

Answer 4

Why count white blood cells? Because it is an important part of diagnosing and recognizing diseases. White blood cells are what fight illnesses in your body, and if there are more than normal, then something might be wrong. if there are too little, then you need more in case you get sick, or that is a sign that all the white blood cells are at a different spot in your body- a trouble spot. This is very important and has saved lives.

Answer 5

Because white blood cell count can indicate MANY things. A raise can show that your body is fighting infection or leukimiea. ( most likely infection) and a drop can be the sign of many genetically inherited diseases

Answer 6

Doctors check your white blood cell count so they can tell if you are sick.

Answer 7

They help doctors check for certain diseases and conditions. They also help check the function of your organs and show how well treatments are working.

Answer 8

The white blood cell count provides a clue to the presence of illness