Neutropenia Essay

The term neutropenia describes the situation where the numbers of neutrophils in the blood are decreased to an abnormally low level. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell also known as polymorphonuclear leukocytes or (PMNs). Neutropenia reduces the body's capability to fight off bacterial infections and fungi (such as yeast) that invade the body. Neutropenia can occur for different reasons. Some degree of neutropenia occurs in about half of all cancer patients who are receiving chemotherapy, and it’s one of the most common side effects in people with leukemia. Patients who have cancer may become neutropenic because of the chemotherapy they have received, sometimes neutropenia occurs after a viral infection. People may also be born with neutropenia, and in some cases the reasons are just not known. People with neutropenia may lower the likelihood of developing an infection by paying close attention to ones hygiene, such as hand washing can help.

White blood cells are also known as leukocytes. There are five major types of circulating white blood cells:

1. basophils,

2. eosinophils,

3. lymphocytes (T-cells and B-cells)

4. monocytes, and

5. neutrophils.

Some white blood cells, called granulocytes, are filled with microscopic granules that are little sacs containing enzymes (compounds that digest microorganisms). Neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils are all granulocytes and are part of the innate immune system with somewhat nonspecific, broad-based activity. They do not respond exclusively to specific antigens, as do the lymphocytes (B-cells and T-cells).

Neutrophils contain enzymes that help the cell kill and digest microorganisms it has engulfed by a process known as phagocytosis. The mature neutrophil has a segmented nucleu...

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...sitory medications. If you are receiving chemotherapy, avoid people who have recently been administered a live vaccine. Keep away from enclosed public areas. Wear shoes, avoid walking barefoot. Avoid contact with pet stools or urine. Avoid stagnant water. Dry-clean your jackets and coats regularly. Have all the air-vents and furnaces in the house cleaned at least once a year. When people come into the house, make sure they all take their shoes off. Avoid dental floss. Clean dentures using fresh water.

Never use a hard toothbrush. Rinse your mouth regularly. Do not use commercial mouthwashes or products with alcohol in them. Now I have listed all these possible precautions that can be taken to avoid infections, because the average person does not stop to think of these. But these are all the things a person living with neutropenia has to be aware of on a daily basis.