Patient's question:
I had two episodes of high fever, and my white blood cell count was around 11+ both times. The doctor prescribed Cefalexin and cold medicine. I have the following questions:1. Generally, when high fever is accompanied by a blood test, at what level of white blood cells and neutrophils should antibiotics be used? Could you provide a reference value?
2. My baby has been given Cefalexin several times already, both through IV drips and oral medication. Is it necessary to use Cefalexin in the future?
3. Why does the hospital always prescribe Cefalexin for my baby each time? He’s only 11 months old. How should I handle future high fevers if his white blood cell count is high?
Doctor's answer:
How many white blood cells are needed to use antibiotics is not clearly defined, and the number of white blood cells is not the only standard for using antibiotics. Advice: White blood cells can absorb foreign substances and produce antibodies, playing an important role in the body's self-healing of injuries, resisting the invasion of natural pathogens, and automatic immunity against diseases. Therefore, white blood cell counts may decrease during inflammation. However, when the body's automatic immunity is poor, it may not respond to pathogen invasion, and even in severe inflammation, white blood cell counts may not be elevated. Cephalosporins are currently the primary drugs for bacterial infections, with cefixime and cefaclor being the most commonly used. If high fever occurs later and white blood cell counts are high, it does not necessarily mean that cefalosporins must be used. Other antibiotics can also be considered.