NEUTROPENIA

NEUTROPENIA



WHAT IS NEUTROPENIA?


Neutropenia is an abnormally low number of white blood cells (neutrophils). White blood cells protect the body from infection.


People with neutropenia tend to develop infections easily because their white blood cell count is too low to fight off germs, such as bacteria. Most of these infections occur in the lungs, mouth, throat, sinuses, and skin. Some people get gum infections, ear infections, or infections of the urinary tract, colon, rectum, or reproductive tract.



HOW DOES IT OCCUR?


Neutropenia has many possible causes. Some people are born with neutropenia. It can happen during or after a viral infection. In some cases the cause may be the side effect of a drug or exposure to certain poisons. Not having enough vitamin B-12 or folate (folic acid) in your diet can also cause neutropenia. It may result from diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Having chemotherapy for cancer can also cause it.



WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?


You may have not symptoms, or you may have symptoms of an infection, which may include:



• fever


• sore throat


• cough or shortness of breath


• diarrhea


• nasal congestion


• unusual vaginal discharge or itching


• burning during urination


• shaking chills


• redness, swelling, or warmth at the site of an injury.

Related posts:

  1. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
  2. MANAGING YOUR CANCER TREATMENT-RELATED FATIGUE
  3. Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
  4. Principles of Symptom Management

Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel
Tags:
Mar 1, 2017 | Posted by in NURSING | Comments Off on NEUTROPENIA

Full access? Get Clinical Tree
Get Clinical Tree app for offline access