Causes

By Mayo Clinic Staff

A high white blood cell count usually means one of the following has increased the making of white blood cells:

  1. An infection.
  2. Reaction to a medicine.
  3. A bone marrow disease
  4. An immune system issue.
  5. Sudden stress such as hard exercise.
  6. Smoking.

Specific causes of a high white blood cell count include:

  1. Allergy, especially severe allergic reactions
  2. Asthma
  3. Bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic infections
  4. Burns
  5. Churg-Strauss syndrome
  6. Medicines, such as corticosteroids and epinephrine
  7. Hay fever
  8. Leukemia
  9. Lymphoma
  10. Myelofibrosis (a bone marrow disorder)
  11. Polycythemia vera — a type of blood cancer.
  12. Pregnancy
  13. Rheumatoid arthritis (a condition that can affect the joints and organs)
  14. Sarcoidosis
  15. Smoking.
  16. Tuberculosis
  17. Vasculitis
  18. Whooping cough

Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

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Dec. 15, 2022

See also

  1. Pediatric white blood cell disorders