Neutropenia

What is neutropenia?

Neutropenia is not a disease. It is a condition in which you have a low number of neutrophils (white blood cells). White blood cells help fight infection, so if you have neutropenia, you are more susceptible to infections. The lower your neutrophil count, the greater the risk of infection.

Neutropenia can be:

• acute, meaning it has come on suddenly (and can also go away quickly)
• chronic, meaning it has been there for a long time
• cyclic, meaning it comes and goes

What is febrile neutropenia?

Febrile neutropenia means you have neutropenia and a fever of 38°C or higher. It is usually a complication of cancer treatment. It is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical attention.

If you have neutropenia and a fever, you should contact your doctor immediately and go to the nearest emergency department.

What causes neutropenia?

There are many causes of neutropenia.

You can have neutropenia from birth — this is known as congenital neutropenia. Mild neutropenia (slightly low neutrophil counts) is normal for many people of African and Middle Eastern origins.

You can develop neutropenia after an infection from a bacteria or fungus, after taking certain medications, due to an allergic disorder, an enlarged spleen or because of problems with your immune system.

Cancer treatment such as chemotherapy is a common cause of neutropenia. Chemotherapy kills your white blood cells, as well as attacking your cancer cells. This can leave you vulnerable to infections.

What are the symptoms of neutropenia?

If you have neutropenia, you might have no symptoms at all.

If mildly low neutrophils are normal for you, you may be completely healthy. However, some people with neutropenia get bacterial infections affecting their skin, mouth area and gums, sinuses or internal organs, such as their lungs.

If you have neutropenia and a fever, this is a medical emergency. Contact your doctor immediately and go to the nearest emergency department.

How is neutropenia diagnosed and treated?

Neutropenia is diagnosed by a blood test. You may need other tests such as a bone marrow test to find out the cause.

Treatment will depend on the cause of your neutropenia, and how severe it is. If you have neutropenia and a bacterial infection, you may need antibiotics.

How can I prevent infections if I have neutropenia?

If you have neutropenia, your doctor may advise you to do what you can to protect yourself from infections.

You can do this by:

• washing your hands regularly
• avoiding pet or other animal poo
• cleaning any minor wounds carefully with soap and water (if you have chronic wounds ask your doctor for advice)
• avoiding large crowds and sick people
• not sharing drinking glasses, cutlery or toothbrushes
• wearing gloves and shoes when gardening
• eating well and getting enough sleep