Living With Lymphocytopenia

If you have mild lymphocytopenia with no underlying condition, you may not need treatment. The lymphocytopenia may improve on its own.

If an underlying condition is causing your lymphocytopenia, you'll need treatment for that condition. You'll also need treatment for infections if your body is unable to fight them due to lymphocytopenia.

Treating and Preventing Infections

The main risk of lymphocytopenia is getting unusual infections, repeat infections, and/or infections that won't go away. If you have lymphocytopenia, you may get treatment to prevent infections or to treat infections you already have.

You also can take other steps to prevent infections. For example:

• Stay away from people who are sick, and avoid large crowds of people.
• Avoid certain kinds of foods that can expose you to bacteria, such as uncooked foods.
• Wash your hands often.
• Brush and floss your teeth and get regular dental care to reduce the risk of infection in your mouth and throat.
• Ask your doctor whether you should get a yearly flu shot and the pneumonia vaccine.

It's important to know the signs of infection, such as fever. Call your doctor right away if you think you have an infection.

Living With Underlying Conditions

If you have a disease or condition that causes lymphocytopenia, you need to get treatment for that condition.

You'll probably have regular tests to see how the treatment is working. For example, you may have blood tests to check the level of lymphocytes in your blood.

If the treatments for the underlying condition are working, the level of lymphocytes in your blood may go up.

Physical Activity

Talk to your doctor about what types and amounts of physical activity are right for you. You may want to avoid activities that could result in injuries or increase your risk for infections.