Question
A child under one year old has experienced a high fever and has since recovered, but their white blood cell count remains around 15,000, failing to return to normal levels. The parents are anxious about this situation. How should they handle it?
Answer
It is advisable for the parents to take the child to the hospital for a detailed examination to identify the cause of the persistently elevated white blood cell count. There are various factors that can lead to an elevated white blood cell count, with the most common being bacterial infections. Children, due to their weaker immune systems, are more susceptible to external pathogens or bacteria, leading to a significant increase in white blood cells and neutrophils. If the white blood cell count is abnormally high, it may involve blood system diseases, and such issues should not be overlooked. Parents should communicate fully with the doctor to understand the specific situation of their child’s white blood cell count. The doctor usually recommends observing after anti-inflammatory treatment; if the white blood cell count remains high, further diagnosis is needed.