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Is WBC Count Of 11.1 A Cause For Concern?
Question: Hi, My husband has not been feeling well over the past couple of months and seems to be getting worse. He went in to the dr and had some blood work to r/o lymes. His WBC was elevated slightly (11.1). His primary symptoms include belching ( a lot of uncontrolled belching), lightheadedness, tingling in his extremities, general malaise, muscle weakness, fatigue, occasional sharp chest pains, some shortness of breath. He has a history of acid reflux, but never such extreme and a wide variety of symptoms. I am a nurse, so checked his vitals last night as he's continuing to get worse - his BP was 110/62, pulse slow low 50's, Oxygen saturation 96%. His heart rate was normal rhythm for about 15 minutes, then he had an obvious gallop. Is this GI or heart related?? Could this be serious, do he need to go to the ER? Thanks much for any advice!
Brief Answer:
Take him to ER if condition continues to worsen. ORS is the mainstay of treatment.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. The raised WBC count indicates the possibility of some infection and it seems that the infection is in the gastrointestinal tract. Your husband could be having some dehydration and electrolyte imbalance as a result of the infection and that in turn could lead to the gallop. The seemingly low pulse does not correlate properly and a clinical examination would be needed to comment further. A visit to the ER could ensure the same.
The treatment of the condition is ORS (oral rehydration solution) which needs to be taken continuously in small amounts. If the condition does not improve or if the urine output is reduced, it might be a good idea to visit the ER. I doubt if there is any association with heart issues. Unless you give ORS it can get serious and hence a visit to the ER could indeed help. However, if fluid replenishment is proper things are unlikely to go downhill.
The acid reflux and the reverse peristalsis (peristalsis is the forward propulsive movement of the gastrointesinal tract) is related to the belching and has been aggravated due to the infection.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
Take him to ER if condition continues to worsen. ORS is the mainstay of treatment.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. The raised WBC count indicates the possibility of some infection and it seems that the infection is in the gastrointestinal tract. Your husband could be having some dehydration and electrolyte imbalance as a result of the infection and that in turn could lead to the gallop. The seemingly low pulse does not correlate properly and a clinical examination would be needed to comment further. A visit to the ER could ensure the same.
The treatment of the condition is ORS (oral rehydration solution) which needs to be taken continuously in small amounts. If the condition does not improve or if the urine output is reduced, it might be a good idea to visit the ER. I doubt if there is any association with heart issues. Unless you give ORS it can get serious and hence a visit to the ER could indeed help. However, if fluid replenishment is proper things are unlikely to go downhill.
The acid reflux and the reverse peristalsis (peristalsis is the forward propulsive movement of the gastrointesinal tract) is related to the belching and has been aggravated due to the infection.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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