Low white blood cell count

A low white blood cell count usually means your body is not making enough white blood cells. It can increase your risk of getting infections.

How you get a low white blood cell count

Common causes of a low white blood cell count include:

• cancer treatment, like radiotherapy and chemotherapy
• antipsychotic medicines
• medicine for an overactive thyroid
• some cancers, like leukaemia
• infections such as HIV or hepatitis
• autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis

Agranulocytosis and neutropenia are conditions that cause a low white blood cell count.

Symptoms of a low white blood cell count

A low white blood cell count does not always cause any symptoms.

The main symptom is getting frequent infections. Signs of an infection may include:

• a high temperature
• chills and shivering
• sore throat
• mouth sores that keep coming back
• toothache
• skin rashes
• tiredness
• flu-like symptoms

A blood test can tell you if your white blood cell count is low.

Treatment for a low white blood cell count

Treatment for a low white blood cell count depends on what's causing it. Treatment often includes antibiotics.

If it's caused by a medicine or other treatment you're having, you may need to stop the treatment or change your dose.

You may also need specific treatment:

• to boost your white blood cells
• if you've got an infection

Occasionally, infections can lead to a life-threatening condition called sepsis.

Things you can do to avoid infections

If you have a low white blood cell count caused by illness, cancer treatment or medicine, it's important to take steps to avoid infections.