What causes high white blood cells in adults?

Hi, I thought I would just elaborate on addicted's great answer!

White blood cells help you fight off infection, and they're made and stored in your bone marrow. When you have a high white blood cell count, that means that they have been released from your bone marrow into your bloodstream, or the bone marrow is making too many white blood cells.

So, what causes high white blood cells in adults?

Infection

The most common causes of high white blood cells are bacterial or viral infections, which is a normal reaction by your immune system to help you fight off the infection. White blood cells are usually higher during the first few days of an infection.

Inflammation and Allergy

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, this can cause high white blood cells. In fact, any condition that causes inflammation can, such as burns or a heart attack. Severe allergies and asthma can also cause the bone marrow to release more white blood cells.

Stress and Drugs

Stress and anxiety can cause high white blood cells, too. Also, medications used to treat cancer or mental illnesses can cause your white blood cell count to be high.

Bone Marrow Diseases

A more serious, but also rare, cause of high white blood cells in adults can be a bone marrow disease. One of these diseases is Leukemia, which causes too many abnormal white blood cells to be released by the bone marrow into the blood.

Don't panic!

The best thing to do is to go and talk to your doctor about a high white blood cell count. It's probably as simple as an infection, and they are easily treated.

This video should help you understand more about high white blood cell counts:

You might also want to take a look at this question asked on the site which has an informative answer about high white blood cells: //diseases-conditions.blurtit.com/250917/should-i-be-alarmed-of-a-white-blood-count-of-17000