The leukocyte value and the streptococci blood count
An infestation with scarlet fever pathogens, the streptococci, causes the affected organism to produce more white blood cells than in a healthy state. Thus, the leukocytes are increased in scarlet fever. Only in the case of an exceptionally long or severe course of the disease does the leukocyte value drop.
The white blood cells increase in scarlet fever
In the case of Scarlatina disease, streptococci enter the patient’s organism. This is how the infection occurs. As with most diseases, the body responds to scarlet fever by increasing the number of white blood cells. These cells , called leukocytes , are responsible for the immune system. They find pathogens and wipe them out.
Thus, the number of leukocytes in scarlet fever increases. This particularly affects the granulocytes . They are the scavenger cells in the body. They absorb the pathogens and decompose them. As with scarlet fever, white blood cells multiply when infested with:
- mushrooms
- viruses
- foreign bodies,
- parasites
- and other bacteria.
The number of leukocytes in scarlet fever increases above the normal value. In a healthy adult, this is between 4,000 and 10,000 white blood cells in one microliter of blood. Doctors speak of an increased value from 10,500 leukocytes per microliter of blood. With 12,000 pieces in a microliter of blood, the white blood cells are greatly increased. This happens, for example, when the infection is severe. As a rule, the concentration of white blood cells increases shortly after the initial infection.
This means that the leukocyte value increases sharply within a few days. In this way, the organism fights the pathogens before the first symptoms, such as reddened skin, appear. In a large blood count, the doctors determine an increase in leukocytes in scarlet fever. This supports your diagnosis. To find out which white blood cells are multiplying, they use a differential blood count.
The leukocytes in an asymptomatic infection
The blood values in scarlet fever play a major role, especially in a symptom-free infection. If there are no characteristic signs of the disease, the doctors check the number of leukocytes. If their value is more than 10,000 white blood cells per microliter of blood, this confirms the doctor’s suspicion of an infection. Thus, the amount of leukocytes in scarlet fever is given a high priority. However, the increased production of white blood cells only works over a certain period of time.
After that, the body is no longer able to meet the high demand for leukocytes. There is less formation of white blood cells. A low concentration of leukocytes is found in the organism of those affected. Doctors mainly recognize this in the blood count if the disease lasts for a long time. After two weeks at the latest, the production of white blood cells stops. Their number decreases in a short time. Thus, if the infection is severe, it may be below the normal range.
If the number of leukocytes in scarlet fever is low, those affected are at risk of subsequent diseases. The weak immune system shows a reduced resistance, so that bacteria and viruses can easily get into the organism. To prevent this, people suffering from scarlet fever immediately consult their family doctor. This prescribes drugs that destroy the pathogens and at the same time support the immune system of the patient. Strengthening the immune system by eating healthy foods makes sense in the event of illness.
The leukocytes in the urine in scarlet fever
If there is a severe increase in white blood cells when you are infected with Scarlatina, there are certain signs. Not only the blood count provides information about an increased concentration of leukocytes in scarlet fever. Those affected notice the increase in white blood cells themselves. If their number is far above the normal range, they end up in the urine, for example. The body excretes the leukocytes in the urine. In this case, those affected have flocculating urine.
Summary of the leukocyte count in scarlet fever
If the patient is infected with Scarlatina pathogens, the streptococci, the leukocytes in the patient’s body multiply before the onset of the characteristic scarlet fever symptoms. In particular, the granulocytes , which belong to the white blood cells, take care of the destruction of the pathogens as “scavenger cells”. When infected with Scarlatina, the leukocyte concentration is above the normal range. That means there are more than 10,000 white blood cells in one microliter of blood.
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