How fast can a WBC rise?

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

OK, put on your thinking caps. This is a hypothetical question. What's the fastest time you've seen a WBC go from normal to high? Can a WBC go from normal to critical within 24 hrs?

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Specializes in Med Surg, ER, OR.

Just recently, I've seen WBCs go from normal (i think 8-9,000) at 1600 to greater than 50,000 by the next draw at 0500. Obviously not typical, but this is probably the most extreme occurence that I remember thus far.

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Good question. I can tell you that when I got Noro, I went down fast. In the middle of the night I dreamed I was sick woke up just in time to throw up, almost aspirated... then the barf/diarrhea (repeat, repeat...). I had absolutely no sign of it during the day prior. It was a clinical day, came home worked out, studied. Ended up in the ER, felt like I was dying, was dry, needed fluids and Zofran IV. My WBC was 20,000. Noro is getting tricky, now popping up with high WBC.

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