What is neutropenia ? This is a decrease in blood levels of special blood cells that mature in the bone marrow. A reduced level of neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes) indicates changes in our body. One of the important functions of white blood cells is to protect against pathogenic bacteria and viruses. After neutrophils enter the bloodstream, their task becomes the destruction of foreign agents. With a reduced number of these bodies, our body weakens and can no longer fight against infectious diseases.
How is the number of white cells detected?
The level of these elements varies widely. In healthy people, from 1,500 to 7,000 thousand neutrophils are present in blood plasma. The severity of the disease depends on the total number of ACN:
- mild form - within 1500 cells;
- moderate - 500-1000 cells / μl;
- heavy - less than 500.
Neutropenia can be short-lived (what kind of condition was described at the beginning), especially when taking antiviral drugs. After treatment, their number is fully restored. However, if this condition is observed for more than a week, then there is a threat of the development of chronic blood pathology and infectious diseases (tonsillitis, respiratory system diseases). Remember that protracted flu-like manifestations should alert you and get you tested. The severe stage is dangerous with complications.
Neutropenia: causes
One of the main causes is bacterial and viral infections. The key role in the development of the disease is played by inflammatory processes, chemotherapy, vitamin deficiency, bone marrow injury, aplastic anemia, and prolonged use of medications. The number of white cells decreases with a slight production or constant destruction of leukocytes in the bloodstream.
Forms of neutropenia
A feature of the febrile form is its instant progression and course. Pathogenic microorganisms, penetrating into a weakened body, spread rapidly, leading to serious consequences. The second feature is the scarcity of clinical signs. The only symptom of an infectious process may be fever.
The cause of the cyclic form of pathology by doctors has not yet been identified. But this neutropenia is more common in young children and the elderly. The third form is called "autoimmune", occurs as a result of taking anti-TB drugs and "Analgin". It is observed with dermatomyositis, rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune diseases.
Each form has its own manifestations, which are worth paying attention to. Often in the diagnosis, lymphocytosis and neutropenia occur simultaneously - it appears with pathologies of the autonomic nervous system and bronchial asthma.
Key features
Symptoms of pathology do not have a pronounced picture, so doctors talk about the clinical signs associated with an existing infection that appeared against the background of neutropenia. The severity and nature of the disease depends on the form. With the febrile type, the patient rises for no apparent reason (above 38 ° C), accompanied by weakness, chills, hypotension, tachycardia and torrential sweat. In the analyzes, the number of white cells is not more than 500, so the focus of infection is difficult to detect.
It is noted that this type often appears in people with oncological pathologies. The cyclic form is manifested by relapse. The patient complains of headaches, fever, pharyngitis and arthritis. Sometimes ulceration occurs on the oral mucosa. In the absence of therapy, tartar develops, which subsequently leads to tooth loss. Autoimmune neutropenia in adults is dangerous with serious complications. With this form, severe intoxication appears, frequent fungal and bacterial infections, fever, damage to the mucous membranes.
How does neutropenia manifest in children?
Newborns and infants are difficult to tolerate the disease, because their immune system is not yet so developed. In children suffering from this disease, pneumonia, stomatitis and gingivitis may appear. Benign neutropenia occurs spontaneously, which occurs in the first and second years of a child's life.
Often it is asymptomatic, without causing inconvenience. Severe or immune agranulocytosis affects older children. It manifests itself as severe fever, chills and fever. It is difficult to treat. With untimely treatment, the prognosis is poor.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of the disease includes two points:
- Blood and urine tests. Sometimes a biopsy (a piece of tissue) of the bone marrow and HIV tests are required.
- Visual examination of the patient - palpation of the abdomen and lymph nodes.
Therapies
Often (especially severe forms) neutropenia is treated in a hospital. What is this condition, let's remember. This is an abnormal decrease in white blood cells (white blood cells) in the human body (the immune system weakens, dangerous infections develop). Only antibacterial drugs will help cope with the disease. They are prescribed even before establishing the exact localization of the focus of the disease. A signal for this is high temperature.
Sometimes, in order to prevent a decrease in white cells, growth factors are used that stimulate the production of white blood cells. If the disease is associated with an autoimmune or allergic reaction, then hormonal drugs are prescribed. In case of enlargement of the spleen, the doctor may resort to its removal in order to increase the number of neutrophils.
Immunosuppressants do not always give a positive therapeutic effect in aplastic anemia. The only way out is bone marrow transplantation. This is a rather complicated operation, requiring long-term rehabilitation under the strict supervision of specialists. Of course, it has its advantages and side effects.
How to reduce the risk of developing the disease?
To prevent the development of the pathological process when taking antiviral drugs, the following rules should be observed:
- do (seasonal) flu shots;
- less located in crowded places;
- monitor the hygiene of the hands and home;
- eat thermally processed meat, eggs, fish.
Remember that this is a complex process that should only be treated under the supervision of a qualified professional. You will have to constantly maintain immunity so that neutropenia does not worsen (what is it and how to treat the disease, read above).
How to control the disease?
Each time after an AVT (antiviral therapy), it is necessary to take a blood test for the level of ACH and the number of leukocytes. Today, medical centers use modern methods to calculate data, allowing you to quickly get results.