Can a fungal infection cause low white blood cell count

There are three types of granulocytes: neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils. Nearly 50 to 70 percent of circulating white blood cells are neutrophils. Those with a neutrophils deficiency are more susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections which can lead to life-threatening neutropenic sepsis.

There are several types of neutropenia including:

• Congenital – a person it born with it
• Cyclic – neutrophil levels decreases every three weeks
• Idiopathic – no known cause is determined
• Autoimmune – the body destroys neutrophils cells
• Drug-induced – medications lower white blood cell count

Neutropenia causes

Depending on the type of neutropenia a person has that will determine the cause. For example a person can be born with it, their body may attack its own white blood cells, medications may be to blame or it can be determines as idiopathic. What is known is that neutropenia is a deficiency of neutrophils which are disease-fighting white blood cells. Even if a person is deficient in other types of white blood cells like eosinophils or basophils that is not referred to as neutropenia.

Neutropenia symptoms

• Ulcers
• Abscesses
• Rashes
• Wounds that won’t heal or take extra long to heal
• Fever due to infection
• Mouth ulcers
• Gum infections
• Ear infections
• Painful urination
• Sore throat
• Abnormal pain, redness or swelling around a wound

As neutrophils continue to drop the risk of infection increases

Neutropenia treatment

Treatment for neutropenia is based on which type of neutropenia a person has and for this reason there are many ways to treat neutropenia which include:

• Discontinue the medications which may be lowering white blood cells
• Avoid toxins which may lower white blood cells
• Clearing up and resolving an infection
• Antibiotics
• Granulocyte colony stimulating factors (G-CSFs) which stimulate bone marrow to produce more neutrophils – this is use in congenital neutropenia
• Corticosteroids
• Bone marrow transplant
• Granulocyte infusion – type of blood transfusion where patient receives granulocyte cells

Neutropenia treatment diet

• Avoid all fresh fruits and vegetables – canned, frozen and thoroughly cooked are best
• Avoid raw or under-cooked meat, fish and eggs – these items should be well done and not have runny yolks
• Avoid salad bars, fruits bars, and even deli counters – it’s best to buy vacuumed sealed deli meats instead of getting them fresh
• Avoid raw nuts
• Only consume pasteurized dairy products
• Avoid yogurt and items with live and active cultures
• Always take safety measures when handling food like washing your hands, not sing the same utensil on different items and ensuring surface areas are well disinfected
• Tap water is safe but if you opt for a bottle water ensure the following is listed on the label: reverse osmosis, distillation, or filtered through and absolute1 micron or smaller filter

By following these tips you can ensure you better protect yourself against harmful bacteria, fungus or parasites which can become life-threatening for a person with neutropenia as they have a weakened immune system.

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