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High lymphocytes

 

Lymphocytes are a fundamental part of our immune system . They are the ones that identify foreign elements in the body and defend it from infections. Therefore, it is normal that sometimes the number of lymphocytes increases temporarily. If this increase is prolonged in time, we are facing lymphocytosis.

Lymphocyte count

A complete blood count will indicate the percentage of lymphocytes by the total number of leukocytes in the blood.

What do we understand by high lymphocytes? In an adult, the normal percentage is between 1,500 and 4,000 cells per microlith of blood. A count of 3,000 lymphocytes may be indicative of lymphocytosis. In children, it can vary depending on age, but an abnormal count can reach between 7,000 and 9,000 lymphocytes per microlith of blood.

Symptoms of high lymphocytes

An increase in white blood cells or high lymphocytes may not show any symptoms. The changes experienced by the body would be those caused by the disease that causes lymphocytosis.

Some symptoms can be:

  1. Fever , that is, an increase in body temperature.
  2. Abnormal bleeding or bruising
  3. Tiredness or physical weakness.
  4. Dizziness or lightheadedness
  5. Unexplained sweating
  6. Tingling or numbness in the arms, legs, or abdomen.
  7. Difficulty breathing.
  8. Difficulty thinking clearly or seeing well.
  9. Sudden and unexplained weight loss.

Once the patient’s complete blood count has been studied, the doctor will determine whether it is a temporary or permanent lymphocytosis. Then, you must identify the specific cause that causes this increase, if it is a consequence of an infection or any other disease.

Causes of high lymphocytes

If the doctor notes an abnormal increase in the number of lymphocytes, this may reveal the existence of:

  1. A bacterial, viral, or other infection.
  2. An autoimmune disorder that causes chronic inflammation.
  3. Cancer of the blood or lymphatic system .

Within this general scheme, there are a series of specific diseases that cause lymphocytosis: whooping cough , vasculitis, multiple myeloma, mononucleosis, HIV / AIDS , cytomegalovirus infection, acute lymphocytic leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

T lymphocyte

Vasculitis

It occurs when the blood vessels become inflamed and cause changes in the walls. It can be temporary or it can be chronic. The most serious cases are those where the blood flow to the organs is blocked and tissue damage is caused.

Whooping cough

It is a very strong cough accompanied by a convulsive breath noise. As a general rule, respiratory diseases can cause an increase in the level of lymphocytes.

Mononucleosis

It is a viral infection that spreads through saliva .

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Some of its symptoms are fever, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes, especially those in the neck.

VIH / PAGE

AIDS is a disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus that damages the immune system.

It is transmitted through sexual contact, but at present it is not necessarily fatal, and those affected with the disease can live together and lead a normal life.

Multiple myeloma

It is a type of cancer that affects plasma cells, which are a type of white blood cells present in the bone marrow and that produce antibodies to fight infection.

Cytomegalovirus infection

Cytomegalovirus is a virus that spreads through body fluids. Most people who suffer from it do not have symptoms, although it is a disease that, once acquired, remains forever in our body in a latent way.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia

It is a cancer of the bone marrow and blood. The ‘chronic’ rating means that it progresses more slowly than any other leukemia.

Some of the typical symptoms of this disease are weight loss, lymph node enlargement, chronic fatigue, and frequent infections.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia

It is a cancer of the bone marrow and blood. Its ‘sharp’ rating is due to its rapid progress over time.

Some of the symptoms that it presents in addition to an increase in lymphocytes is the swelling of the lymph nodes that causes lumps, fever, nosebleeds, infections, bone pain and abnormal bleeding from the gums.

This type of leukemia is the most common in children.

Risks and treatment

The risk associated with a high lymphocyte count is that it is an indicator that something in our body is not going well. Generally, it will be the consequence of a reaction of the immune system to a certain virus or infection, which with the appropriate treatment and rest, will be solved. However, it can also be the indicator of other types of serious diseases such as those described, which provoke a response from our immune system to fight them.

As has been seen, lymphocytosis is not in itself a disease, but an indicator that something is attacking our immune system. Therefore, it serves as an alarm to detect underlying problems. It will be the specialist who identifies the disease or pathology that causes this abnormal lymphocyte count and prescribes the appropriate treatment for the cause that causes it.

 

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Hello Readers, I am Nikki Bella a Psychology student. I have always been concerned about human behavior and the mental processes that lead us to act and think the way we do. My collaboration as an editor in the psychology area of ​​Well Being Pole has allowed me to investigate further and expand my knowledge in the field of mental health; I have also acquired great knowledge about physical health and well-being, two fundamental bases that are directly related and are part of all mental health.

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