Thank you doctor.
To conclude what about such a low count of lymphocytes. Is it common in those types of infections ?
That is my last concern.
Hope to read you soon.
Thanks in advance.
Hello,
Thank you for your question.
Generally if one of my patients complained of the same symptoms you described in your question, I would be suspicious of a bacterial pharyngitis caused by a Group A Streptococcal (“Strep throat”).
In adults, there are specific criteria, called the Centor criteria:
- Fever: subjective or measured >100.5°F
- Absence of cough
- Tender anterior cervical lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph node in neck)
- Tonsillar exudates (white fluid)
It seems you have at least 3 of these (you didn’t mention that you didn’t have a cough). In general, I treat patients with antibiotics with 4 of these criteria.In patients with 2,3, criteria I perform a rapid strep test before I make the diagnosis.
To answer your question and hopefully relieve some of your anxiety, it is very common for patients to have a leukocytosis with a predominance of neutrophils like you describe in your question. It should not cause you excessive worry. I am glad that you responded so well with resolution of your symptoms within 48 to 72 hours.
Thank you,
Dr. S