The human immune system is the system that enables him to communicate with the world around him without getting sick day and night. The millions of types of germs and viruses around us could have been fatal if we didn't have an immune system.
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| White blood cell count test |
The immune system is made up of different organs, like the skin that separates the outside world from our bodies, but this system is also made up of soldiers who have the ability to identify and then eliminate disease-causing agents that invade the body. These soldiers are mononucleosis.
White blood cells begin to move and work and multiply whenever a foreign body enters the body. Therefore, if a blood test shows the presence of a large number of white blood cells, it can be concluded that the body is fighting a certain foreign body. Thus, the examination of white blood cells can indicate the presence of a certain inflammatory process in the body.
There are several subtypes of white blood cells, such as lymphocytes, neutrophils, and other types.
Each of these types has a specific function in identifying and eliminating the foreign body, and we take advantage of this fact during the blood test to find out not only if there is an increase in the number of white cells (during the disease), but also to know the type of white blood cells that are present in abundance.
When is the examination performed?
This test is not usually done alone as a test in itself but rather as part of a routine blood test called a complete blood count (CBC).
This test can also be done in all cases where a specific infection is suspected in the body or when you have a fever where the white blood cell count is checked.
It is true that this test shows cases in which the immune system or white cells start to function, but it can also show the reverse situation in which the immune system fails.
Indeed, the white blood cell test is one of the tests required in order to diagnose AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency virus).
In addition, due to the fact that white cells are produced in the bone marrow which is the inner part of the bone, in bone marrow cancer ( leukemia) a very high number of white cells appears in the blood.
Prepare for examination
We are talking here about a normal blood test, so there is no need to make any special preparations such as fasting, for example. But it should be noted that this examination is carried out in most cases as part of a series of examinations that may require making certain preparations, whether fasting or otherwise.
The at-risk category
Patients who suffer from infectious diseases that are transmitted through the blood, such as hepatitis , AIDS, and others, must inform the medical staff of this before the examination.
It is true that infectious diseases do not prevent a blood test, but the presence of such diseases requires the medical staff to take more precautions and caution in order to prevent the transmission of infection.
Related diseases
There are many diseases that can affect the examination of white blood cells. The main diseases are the following:
Fever diseases of all kinds, caused by infection with a virus or germ.
immune system failure
Bone marrow cancer, or leukemia.
Various cases of allergies and asthma.
How to perform the examination
We are talking here about a normal and simple blood test that is often performed by pricking the elbow socket area and drawing a sample of blood.
after examination
You can return to your normal daily activity immediately.
Warnings
general
There is a very small risk of having a complete blood test and you may feel slight pain or bruising where the needle was inserted, but most of these symptoms usually go away quickly.
During pregnancy:
There are no special warnings.
Breast feeding:
There are no special warnings.
Babies and Babies
There are no special warnings.
Elderly:
There are no special warnings.
Driving:
There are no special warnings.
Medicines that affect the test result
Medications that may increase the white blood cell count include:
epinephrine.
Allopurinol.
aspirin;
chloroform.
heparin;
quinine;
corticosteroids;
triamterene.
Medications that may lower the white blood cell count include:
Antibiotics.
anticonvulsants;
Antihistamines.
Thyroid antagonists.
barbiturates;
Chemotherapy.
diuretics;
Sulfonamides.
Analysis of the results
The results of the white blood cell examination appear in the form of numbers and percentages, as the numbers refer to the absolute value of the number of white blood cells, while percentages refer to the portion that each type of white blood cell makes up from the total number of white blood cells.
The correct value of white blood cells is presented in the following table:
