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What Causes High Lymphocyte Count With Cough And Cold?

Posted on Thu, 2 Jun 2016

Question: I recently went to the doctor for a cough and cold , they took blood and a few days later told me I had a high white cell count and came to the conclusion that I had mono, then decided to run test again now they are saying it is Lymphocytic Luekemia but they wont know for sure until I see a specialist, so my question is what else could it be, my only other sympton was I was tired when I had my cold.

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
viral infections can cause high lymphocyte count

Detailed Answer:
Hi
I understand your concerns.

High lymphocyte count with cough and cold suggests viral infections as the commonest cause. That's why they thought about infectious mononucleosis. Other viral infections are also possible.

However, as you said, probably they have done some other test and reported it as leukemia. Will you be able to upload the reports? That would be of immense help. But in any case, as they are not sure, it can still be an infection. Sometimes, it is difficult to distinguish the two, especially in the community.

An experienced hematopathologist will surely be able to diagnose. A bone marrow test and/or flow cytometry on the white cells (to see if they are all from a clone) may be required.

Hope this helps.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (43 hours later)

I uploaded the blood test they ran on the 2 different days

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
looks like chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Detailed Answer:
I can see that a single report has been uploaded 4 times. The differential count of white cells and the blood picture is very much suggestive of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, it requires flow cytometry to confirm.

And most cases of incidentally detected CLL does not require treatment, only observation. Treatment required only when persistent fever, weight loss, drop in hemoglobin or platelets, etc.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (48 hours later)

I finally got the reports added , don't know why it kept adding the same one over and over

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
yes it appears like CLL only

Detailed Answer:
But you may not require any treatment at present. We can observe you till you have any symptoms from it, then start treatment. Survival is good, many years may pass even without any active treatment. Treatment also is very effective.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (8 hours later)

I have read that this is inherited but cancer does not run in the family, and I never had any of the symptoms that cause this. Is this curable?

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
this is not inherited

Detailed Answer:
Most CLL are not inherited. Few cases may have family history.

CLL is not curable as of present day. But it can be kept in remission for many years. And as I said it may not require any treatment even. Treatment of CLL is developing at a fast pace and it may get curable in near future.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (2 days later)

Thank you for you help in this, I will find out on Tuesday if this is what I really have

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
you are welcome

Detailed Answer:
I am sure you will do well

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Deepak