How do wbc work

Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. White blood cells WBCs are a part of the immune system. They help fight infection and defend the body against other foreign materials. Different types of white blood cells have different jobs.

Some are involved in recognizing intruders. Some kill harmful bacteria. Others make antibodies to protect your body against exposure to bacteria and viruses. This article discusses the different types of white blood cells and their various functions.

White blood cells are are also known as leukocytes. They are the body's defense against infections. There are several different types with different purposes. Some of the cells are part of our innate immune system, meaning they know from birth to attack foreigners. Others are part of our humoral or learned immune system. Humoral immune cells manufacture antibodies after exposure to a germ.

This way, the body can be prepared for another attack by that germ. Neutrophils make up roughly half of the white blood cell population. They are usually the first cells of the immune system to respond to invaders such as bacteria or viruses. As first responders, they also send out signals alerting other cells in the immune system to come to the scene.

Neutrophils are the main cells found in pus. Once released from the bone marrow, these cells live for only around eight hours. Your body produces roughly billion of these cells every day. Eosinophils also play a role in fighting off bacteria. They are very important in responding to parasitic infections such as worms as well.

They are perhaps best known for their role in triggering allergy symptoms. Eosinophils can go overboard in mounting an immune response against something harmless.

For example, eosinophils mistake pollen for a foreign invader. However, there are high concentrations of eosinophils in the digestive tract. These cells are perhaps best known for their role in asthma.

However, they are important in mounting a non-specific immune response to pathogens, organisms that can cause disease. When stimulated, these cells release histamine, among other chemicals. This can result in inflammation and narrowing of the airways. Lymphocytes are also essential in the immune system. They come in two forms: B cells and T cells. Unlike other white blood cells that provide non-specific immunity, B and T cells have specific purposes.

B lymphocytes B cells are responsible for humoral immunity, which is the immune response that involves antibodies. B cells produce the antibodies that "remember" an infection. They stand ready in case your body is exposed to that pathogen again.

T cells recognize specific foreign invaders and are responsible for directly killing them. B lymphocytes play a key role in the effectiveness of many current vaccines.

When your white blood cell count is low, you are at great risk for any illness or infection, which can spiral into a serious health threat. Your healthcare provider can do a blood test to see whether your white blood cell count is normal. If your count is too low or too high, you may have a white blood cell disorder.

Weak immune system. Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy can destroy white blood cells and leave you at risk for infection.

A higher-than-normal white blood cell count usually means you have some type of infection. White blood cells are multiplying to destroy the bacteria or virus.

Myelodysplastic syndrome. This condition causes abnormal production of blood cells. This includes white blood cells in the bone marrow. Cancer of the blood. Cancers including leukemia and lymphoma can cause uncontrolled growth of an abnormal type of blood cell in the bone marrow.

This results in a greatly increased risk for infection or serious bleeding. Myeloproliferative disorder. The antibodies then mark these antigens for destruction. There are many cells, proteins and chemicals involved in this attack. The complement system is made up of proteins whose actions complement the work done by antibodies. The lymphatic system is a network of delicate tubes throughout the body. The main roles of the lymphatic system are to:. The spleen is a blood-filtering organ that removes microbes and destroys old or damaged red blood cells.

It also makes disease-fighting components of the immune system including antibodies and lymphocytes. Bone marrow is the spongy tissue found inside your bones. It produces the red blood cells our bodies need to carry oxygen, the white blood cells we use to fight infection, and the platelets we need to help our blood clot.

The thymus filters and monitors your blood content. It produces the white blood cells called T-lymphocytes. As well as the immune system, the body has several other ways to defend itself against microbes, including:. A rise in body temperature, or fever , can happen with some infections. This is actually an immune system response. A rise in temperature can kill some microbes. Fever also triggers the body's repair process.

It is common for people to have an over- or underactive immune system. Overactivity of the immune system can take many forms, including:. Underactivity of the immune system, also called immunodeficiency , can:.

An underactive immune system does not function correctly and makes people vulnerable to infections. It can be life threatening in severe cases. People who have had an organ transplant need immunosuppression treatment to prevent the body from attacking the transplanted organ. Immunoglobulins commonly known as antibodies are used to treat people who are unable to make enough of their own, or whose antibodies do not work properly.

This treatment is known as immunoglobulin therapy. Until recently, immunoglobulin therapy in Australia mostly involved delivery of immunoglobulins through a drip into the vein — known as intravenous immunoglobulin IVIg therapy. Now, subcutaneous immunoglobulin SCIg can be delivered into the fatty tissue under the skin, which may offer benefits for some patients. This is known as subcutaneous infusion or SCIg therapy. Subcutaneous immunoglobulin is similar to intravenous immunoglobulin.

It is made from plasma — the liquid part of blood containing important proteins like antibodies. Download the SCIg introduction fact sheet to read more about this type of treatment. Many health services are now offering SCIg therapy to eligible patients with specific immune conditions. If you are interested, please discuss your particular requirements with your treating specialist. Immunisation works by copying the body's natural immune response.

A vaccine a small amount of a specially treated virus, bacterium or toxin is injected into the body. The body then makes antibodies to it. If a vaccinated person is exposed to the actual virus, bacterium or toxin, they won't get sick because their body will recognise it and know how to attack it successfully.

Vaccinations are available against many diseases, including measles and tetanus.