The prevalence of the CBC test in clinical practice depends mainly on its simplicity and quick results. However, its clinical value for diagnosing infection is limited, while it cannot be used as a basis for determining whether to apply antibiotics.
First, elevated white blood cells ≠ bacterial infection.
For example, the diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia depends on chest imaging examination, bacterial meningitis depends on cerebrospinal fluid testing, and the diagnosis of acute appendicitis requires typical clinical symptoms of metastatic right lower abdominal pain and simultaneously abdominal CT imaging were undertaken,the diagnosis of these "bacterial infefections" is mainly based on clinical manifestations, physical examination, radiograph or pathogens detection.
Abnormalities in CBC tests can provide reference value for the doctor's diagnosis of diseases, but they never be the basis for diagnosis of diseases alone. Bacterial infections are not the only cause of elevated white blood cells, but viral infections, immune diseases, trauma, or over- exercise can also lead to high white blood cells.
Secondly, bacterial infections ≠ the need for antibiotics
For example, acute bacterial enteritis caused by E. coli should not be routinely treated with antibiotics, and antibiotics are not advocated in the early stages of local abscess infection, while mild bacterial sinusitis can be observed temporarily. Therefore, the application of antibiotics depends on the types of pathogen and the status of the condition caused by the infection, and the systemic inflammatory syndrome of bacterial infection is the indication for the application of antibiotics.
The majority of common childhood diseases are self-limitted, while the white blood cells are only temporarily elevated, which does not require medication. As a parent, you should be aware that antibiotics should only be used when there is a specific and clear diagnosis of bacterial infection.
