Lymphocytosis is a situation that occurs when the amount of lymphocytes, also called white blood cells, is higher than normal in the blood. The amount of lymphocytes in the blood is indicated in a specific part of the CBC, WBC, with lymphocytosis being considered when more than 5000 lymphocytes are controlled by mm3 of blood.
It is important to remember that this result is classified as an absolute count, because when the test result appears, lymphocytes above 50% are called relative counts, and these values may vary by lab.
- Lymphocytes are cells responsible for the body’s defenses.
- So when they are enlarged.
- It generally means that the body reacts to certain microorganisms.
- Such as bacteria.
- Viruses.
- But they can also increase when there is a problem in the production of these cells.
- More information about lymphocytes.
Lymphocytosis is controlled using the entire blood formula, specifically in the white blood cell count, which is the part of the blood formula count that contains information related to white blood cells, which are the cells responsible for the body’s defenses, such as lymphocytes, leukocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils.
The assessment of the amount of circulating lymphocytes should be assessed by the hematologist, the family doctor or the doctor who ordered the test The increase in the amount of lymphocytes may have several causes, the main being:
Mononucleosis, also known as kissing disease, is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, which is transmitted through saliva during kissing, but also by coughing, sneezing or sharing cutlery and glasses.The main symptoms are red spots on the body, high fever, headache, water in the neck and armpits, sore throat, whitish patches in the mouth and physical fatigue.
As lymphocytes act in defense of the body, it is normal for them to be elevated, and it is also possible to check for other changes in the blood formula, such as the presence of lymphocytes and atypical monocytes, as well as changes in biochemical tests., mainly C-reactive protein, PCR.
What to do: This disease is usually naturally eliminated by the body’s own defense cells and can last 4 to 6 weeks, however, the family doctor may prescribe the use of certain medications to relieve symptoms such as pain relievers and antipyretics to lower fever and anti-inflammatory pain medications.Find out how mononucleosis is treated.
Tuberculosis is a disease that affects the lungs, is transmitted from person to person, and is caused by bacteria known as Koch’s bacillus (BK). Often the disease remains inactive, but when active it causes symptoms such as coughing up blood and phlegm, night sweats, fever, loss of weight and appetite.
In addition to high levels of lymphocytes, your doctor may also notice an increase in monocytes, called monocytosis, in addition to an increase in neutrophils. If the person has symptoms of tuberculosis and suggestive changes in blood formula, the doctor may order a specific TB test, called PPD, in which the person receives a small injection of the protein present in the bacteria that causes tuberculosis and the result depends on the size of the skin reaction caused by this injection.Learn how to understand the PPD.
What to do: Treatment should be established by the pneumologist or infectious disease, and the person should be monitored regularly. Tb treatment lasts approximately 6 months and is done with antibiotics that should be taken even if symptoms go away, because even in the absence of symptoms, the bacteria may still be present and if treatment is discontinued, it can re proliferate and have consequences on the person.
Follow-up of the TB patient should be done periodically to check for more Koch bacilli, with the patient being required to pass the sputum test, with at least 2 samples recommended.
Measles is an infectious disease caused by a virus that mainly affects children up to 1 year of age, this disease is considered highly contagious because it can be easily transmitted from person to person by the droplets that release by coughing and sneezing.respiratory system, but can spread throughout the body, causing symptoms such as red spots on the skin and throat, red eyes, cough and fever.Recognize measles symptoms.
In addition to high levels of lymphocytes, the general practitioner or pediatrician may check for other changes in blood formula and immunological and biochemical tests, such as an increase in PCR, indicating the onset of an infectious process.
What to do: You should consult your family doctor or pediatrician as soon as symptoms appear, because even if there is no specific treatment for measles, your doctor will recommend medications that relieve symptoms, vaccination is the best way to prevent measles and is indicated for children and adults and the vaccine is available free of charge in health centers.
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by different types of viruses or even caused by the use of certain drugs, medications or the ingestion of toxins. The main symptoms of hepatitis are yellowish skin and eyes, weight loss and appetite, swelling of the right side of the stomach, dark urine and fever.Hepatitis can be transmitted by sharing contaminated needles, unprotected sex, food and water contaminated with faeces and by contact with the blood of an infected person.
Hepatitis is caused by viruses, so its presence in the body stimulates the functioning of the immune system, with an increase in the amount of lymphocytes.In addition to changes in white blood cells and blood formula, which often indicate anemia, your doctor should also evaluate liver function through tests such as TGO, TGP, and bilirubin, as well as serological tests to identify the hepatitis virus.
What to do: Hepatitis treatment is based on the cause, but in case of viruses, the infectious disease specialist, the hepatologist or the family doctor may recommend the use of antivirals, rest and increased water intake.Your doctor should recommend replacement or discontinuation of the medicine responsible for liver damage.Know the treatment for each type of hepatitis.
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is a type of cancer that occurs in the bone marrow, which is the organ responsible for the production of blood cells.This type of leukemia is said to be acute because recently produced lymphocytes in the bone marrow circulate in the bloodstream, without having gone through a maturation process, so they are called immature lymphocytes.
As circulating lymphocytes are unable to function properly, there is increased production of lymphocytes by the bone marrow to try to compensate for this deficiency, which results in lymphocytosis, in addition to other changes in the blood formula, such as thrombopenia, which is the decrease in blood pressure.platelet count.
It is the most common type of cancer in childhood, with many chances of recovery, but it can also occur in adults ALL symptoms include pale skin, nosebleeds, bruising on the arms, legs and eyes, water in the neck, groin and armpits., bone pain, fever, shortness of breath and weakness.
What to do: It is important to consult a pediatrician or general practitioner as soon as the first signs and symptoms of leukemia appear, so that the person can be referred immediately to the hematologist so that more specific tests can be performed and the diagnosis can be made.Most of the time, ALS treatment is done with chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and in some cases a bone marrow transplant is recommended.See how the bone marrow transplant goes.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a type of malignant disease or cancer that develops in the bone marrow and is called chronic because it can be seen circulating in the blood of mature and immature lymphocytes.This disease usually develops slowly, with symptoms, harder to notice.
CLL often causes no symptoms, but may occur in some cases, such as underarm, groin or neck swelling, night sweats, pain on the left side of the stomach caused by an enlarged spleen, and fever.affecting mainly the elderly and women over the age of 70.
What to do: An assessment by a GP is essential and, in cases where the disease is confirmed, a referral to a hematologist is necessary, who will confirm the disease through additional tests, including a bone marrow biopsy.your doctor will indicate the start of treatment, which usually includes chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant.
Lymphoma is also a type of cancer that comes from diseased lymphocytes and can affect any part of the lymphatic system, but usually affects the spleen, thymus, tonsils, and tongue.There are more than 40 types of lymphoma, but the most common are Hodgkin’.and non-Hodgkin lymphomas, with very similar symptoms including lumps in the neck, groin, collarbone, belly and under the wings, as well as fever, night sweating, unexplained weight loss, shortness of breath and coughing.
What to do: Upon the onset of symptoms, it is recommended to consult a general practitioner who will refer you to an oncologist or hematologist who will prescribe more tests, in addition to the blood formula, to confirm the disease, no treatment will be indicated.until your doctor has determined the extent of the disease, but chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and bone marrow transplantation are usually performed.