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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffA high white blood cell count usually indicates:
- An increased production of white blood cells to fight an infection
- A reaction to a drug that enhances white blood cell production
- A disease of bone marrow, causing abnormally high production of white blood cells
- An immune system disorder that increases white blood cell production
Specific causes of high white blood cell count include:
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia
- Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
- Allergy, especially severe allergic reactions
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- Chronic myelogenous leukemia
- Drugs, such as corticosteroids and epinephrine
- Hairy cell leukemia
- Measles
- Myelofibrosis
- Other bacterial infections
- Other viral infections
- Polycythemia vera
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Smoking
- Stress, such as severe emotional or physical stress
- Tissue damage, such as from burns
- Tuberculosis
- Whooping cough
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
References
- Laboratory reference values. Leukocytes. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2010.
- Coates TD. Definition and mechanisms of leukocytosis and neutrophilia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 12, 2010.
- Blood studies: Hematology and coagulation. In: Fischbach FT, et al. A Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009. http://ovidsp.ovid.com/ovidweb.cgi?T=JS&NEWS=N&PAGE=booktext&D=books&AN=00140036/7th_Edition/11&XPATH=/OVIDBOOK%5B1%5D/METADATA%5B1%5D/TBY%5B1%5D/EDITORS%5B1%5D. Accessed July 12, 2010.
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