Question
A 10-month-old infant had normal platelet counts during a 6-month health check-up, but after experiencing a high fever at 7 months old, the white blood cell and neutrophil counts remained persistently low. During this period, the child was hospitalized and received treatment with blood-building tonics, as well as medications such as Rui Bai and Hui Er Xue. However, the effects were not satisfactory. There were mild fever and rash reactions after the injection of Hui Er Xue. Inquiry about the diagnosis and treatment methods for this condition.
Answer
White blood cells are the body’s patrol guards against bacterial invasion. When bacteria or other foreign substances invade, white blood cells enter the invaded area to encircle, absorb, and destroy the bacteria, earning them the title of ‘white guards’ of the human body. An increase in white blood cell counts can weaken the body’s antibacterial ability, making it more susceptible to infections. However, a decrease in white blood cell counts does not necessarily require treatment; this depends on the extent and cause of the increase. Normal white blood cell counts are between (4~10)×109/L, or 4000 to 10,000 per cubic millimeter, with an average of 7000 per cubic millimeter. If it falls between 4000 to 7000, it is considered slightly low but normal and does not require treatment.