Blood in the human body contains many types of cells. White blood cells or WBC is one of the types that are responsible for the body’s immune system. These cells are made inside the bone marrow. The WBC count is an important measurement to decide on various health conditions. Low count of white blood cells, also known as leukopenia, keeps people at a risk of infection. This condition can be diagnosed with a complete blood test. Certain medications can increase or even decrease the number of WBC in blood.

Causes of low white blood cell count
The WBC count, also known as leukocyte, is measured in terms of the number of cells per volume of blood.

• Bone marrow – Congenital disorders can cause low functioning of bone marrow in individuals.
• Radiation therapy – Used to treat cancer, radiation therapy damages healthy WBC along with cancer cells. One of the causes of low white blood cell count is when this cancer treating therapy destroys stem cells in the bone marrow.
• Chemotherapy – Most of the chemotherapy medications destroy cells in the bone marrow, which is responsible for producing WBC.

Symptoms of low white blood cell levels
Most individuals do not have any symptoms of low white blood cell counts. That being said, they are at a higher risk of infections which give rise to symptoms such as fever, chills, swelling, redness, tiredness or fatigue, toothache, mouth sores, red or white patches in the mouth, sore throat, severe cough, shortness of breath, painful urination, diarrhea, cuts or sores (with pus), and unusual vaginal discharge.

Low WBC can be treated by a blood transfusion from a person with high WBC count to a person having low WBC. Also, doctors may prescribe medications which can stimulate the production of WBC in the body.