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What Causes High WBC In A 78 Year Old?
Dr, My father is 78 years old. Diagnosed and hospitalized twice in the last 2 months for phemonia. His white blood count is around 21 while on antibiotics. He does hemo dyalisis every night at home. Infectious disease drs say he is a mystery to them and are scratching their heads. Should we seek a second opinion? Thanks
Thu, 9 Oct 2014
Hi
The main cause of high WBC (TLC) is septicemia esp in elderly patients. Since your patient is taking antibiotics and still has high WBC count then it means that patient is not responding to antibiotics and need Blood culture and sensitivity testing to find out type of bacteria susceptible to antibiotics. Till then your patient needs hospitalization and needs parental antibiotics otherwise complications can be there.
Take care
The main cause of high WBC (TLC) is septicemia esp in elderly patients. Since your patient is taking antibiotics and still has high WBC count then it means that patient is not responding to antibiotics and need Blood culture and sensitivity testing to find out type of bacteria susceptible to antibiotics. Till then your patient needs hospitalization and needs parental antibiotics otherwise complications can be there.
Take care
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