How sick are you if you have sepsis, and a white cell count of 71, 000?

Question:

I have lupus. I was recently in the hospital with this diagnosis and count..no, that isn't a typo. I appreciate your answers?

Answers:
Basically, it is blood poisoning and it is very dangerous.

Sepsis is a severe illness caused by overwhelming infection of the bloodstream by toxin-producing bacteria

Symptoms

Fever or hypothermia (low body temperature)
Hyperventilation
Chills
Shaking
Warm skin
Skin rash
Rapid heart beat
Confusion or delirium
Decreased urine output

Septic patients usually require monitoring in an intensive care unit (ICU). "Broad spectrum" intravenous antibiotic therapy should be initiated as soon as sepsis is suspected.

Other Answers:
You must have been really sick. Most people with sepsis are miserable. A normal WBC shouldn't get higher than about 10,000, depending on the lab. Normal values will vary slightly with different institutions.

A high W.B.C. count means your body is giving a good fight.Your prognosis is good.

A 71,000/cumm white blood cell count is a very serious health problem on its own. A septic condition may not be the sole cause of that high wbc count. If you also have lupis the two conditions together at the same time are amplifying your immune response to the bacterial infection. Because of your existing lupis diagnosis you must be under the care of a physician. Strong antibiotics should take care of the septic condition. If not already seeing a Hematologist M.D. I would suggest you do so immediately. There are many treatment options available now for Lupis and only a hematologist would be best suited to find the right one for you. After the infection is cured your wbc count should fall gradually over several weeks time possibly down to a normal level 4,000 - 15,000/cumm depending on your lupis status. good luck and be well.
Source(s):
professional laboratory medicine training

A "normal" white cell count is ranged on an average of 5,000 to 10,000 uL. Yours is 71,000. Yes, I would say you are very sick. Sepsis is the spread of a type of "infectious agent" such as bacteria throughout the body. Keep in close contact with your doctors and your check-ups. I hope you do well. I'm concerned!
Source(s):
I am a nurse.

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How sick are you if you have sepsis, and a white cell count of 71, 000?

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