Having a White Blood Cell (WBC) count of 500 per microliter means you have a severely low WBC count, which significantly increases your risk of infections.
Understanding Low White Blood Cell Counts
A normal WBC count is typically above 4,000 cells per microliter. A count of 500 falls well below this threshold and is considered very dangerous. Here’s what you need to know:
- Severe Risk of Infection: When your WBC count is this low, your body's ability to fight off infections is severely compromised. This makes you highly susceptible to various infections, even those from normally harmless bacteria.
- Neutropenia: This very low WBC count likely means a very low neutrophil count. If your neutrophil count is below 500 cells per microliter, which is often the case with an overall WBC of 500, the risk of infection becomes extremely high.
Implications of a WBC Count of 500
Having such a low WBC count can lead to several serious issues:
- Infections from Normal Bacteria: You may contract infections from bacteria that typically live harmlessly in your mouth or on your skin.
- Severe Infections: Even mild infections can become severe and life-threatening due to your compromised immune system.
- Difficulty Fighting Infections: Your body will struggle to fight off any kind of infection, making it harder to recover.
- Medical Emergency: This low count is a medical emergency and needs immediate attention.
What To Do If You Have a Low WBC Count
If your WBC count is 500 per microliter, here's a crucial step that you should do.
- Seek Medical Attention Immediately: This condition requires urgent medical care to diagnose the underlying cause and begin treatment.
Summary
| Condition | WBC Count (per microliter) | Infection Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | > 4,000 | Low |
| Low | < 4,000 | Increased |
| Very Low | 500 | Very High |
In summary, a WBC count of 500 is very serious and presents a significant risk of severe infections. Medical intervention is urgently needed.
