The reason why the neutrophil percentage is high is actually like this

An elevated neutrophil percentage is a common finding in routine blood tests, but what causes people to have an elevated neutrophil percentage? Most people don't quite understand this issue. In fact, there are many factors in daily life that can cause a high percentage of neutrophils, among which colds are the most common one.

Causes of high neutrophil percentage

Usually, when a doctor receives a blood test report, he or she will mainly look at three data: white blood cell count (WBC), lymphocyte percentage and neutrophil percentage. The white blood cell count is commonly known as the blood picture, and the latter two are the classification of white blood cells. As we all know, white blood cells are the "guardians" of the human body, specifically helping the body resist foreign invasions such as bacteria. However, among these guards, there is a team of "elite soldiers" that needs more attention, and that is neutrophils. Neutrophils are always at the forefront of the battle and play a vital role in the human immune system. For doctors, when looking at blood test reports, they should not only check whether the white blood cell count is lower than the normal value, but also pay attention to the number of neutrophils.

What are neutrophils? In Wright's stained blood smears, the cytoplasm of neutrophilic granulocytes is colorless or very light pink, with many diffusely distributed small (0.2-0.4 microns) light red or light purple characteristic granules. The cell nucleus is rod-shaped or 2-5 lobed, with lobes connected by filaments. The surface of its particles is covered with a layer of membrane and can be divided into types 1 to 4. The particles contain myeloperoxidase, acid phosphatase, phagocytin, lysozyme, β-glucuronidase, alkaline phosphatase, etc. Neutrophils have chemotactic, phagocytic and bactericidal effects.

Experts say that if the white blood cell count is higher than 10,000, the inflammation is severe and you can use anti-inflammatory drugs or intravenous drips. If the white blood cell count is lower than 4,000, it means that the resistance is relatively low and antipyretics should be used less. If the percentage of lymphocytes is high, it is a viral infection; if the percentage of neutrophils is high, it is a bacterial infection. White blood cells are mainly neutrophils. If the neutrophil count is high, the white blood cell count is generally also high. This is commonly caused by infection, and a common cold will cause an increase.

Colds can increase the percentage of neutrophils

If both the white blood cell count and the neutrophil percentage are high, it indicates a bacterial infection; if the white blood cell count is low and the lymphocyte percentage is high, it is a viral infection; if the white blood cell count is normal or low and the neutrophil percentage is high, it may be both a viral and a bacterial infection. Of course, this is a basic judgment method, and the specific situation still needs to be determined by a doctor.