Patient's question:
I had high fever twice, and my white blood cell count was around 11+ both times. The doctor prescribed Cefalexin and cold medicine. I would like to ask 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 every time? My baby is only 11 months old. How should I handle high fever and increased white blood cells in the future, and will Cefalexin always be the first choice?
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 natural pathogen invasion, 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 or 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 used.