What Happens When Monocytes Count Is Low?

When the monocytes count in the body is low, the body is more susceptible to picking up infections. The type of infections and their severity will depend on issues such as the individual's overall health and medical condition. Although low counts will affect people in different ways, the most common types of infection that can be caused by a low monocytes account include bacterium infections found on the skin, or in the gastrointestinal or urinary tract areas.
Causes
As monocytes are produced in the bone marrow, any chemical or disorder that interferes with the function of the bone marrow may cause the monocytes count in the body to become low. Some of these conditions may include HIV, malaria, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and aplastic anaemia. The bone marrow may also be affected by medications and treatments including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, corticosteroids or orally administered interferons. Individuals with a deficient in vitamin B12 and foliate may also leave their bodies more prone to having a low monocytes count.
Symptoms
There are no specific symptoms for a low monocytes count as it more likely a doctor will pick up on it through the individual contracting an illness or infection and the resulting blood test results showing up the low count. The most common signs of the infections that may show up a low monocyte count include frequent urination, chills, fever, sore throat, coughing and general flu-like symptoms.

Low monocyte counts generally do not cause specific symptoms. It is most likely that the signs of some type of an infection will be noticed by someone suffering from a low monocyte blood count. The symptoms of the infection will then trigger a visit to the doctor. Frequent signs of these types of infections include flu-like symptoms, coughing, sore throat, chills and fever, and frequent urination.Monocytes are produced in the bone marrow. Therefore, any disorder or chemical that affects the function of the bone marrow may potentially cause a low monocyte count. Examples of disorders that impact the bone marrow include HIV, aplastic anemia, tuberculosis, malaria, Epstein-Barr virus, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Medications that may suppress the function of the bone marrow include orally administered interferons, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or corticosteroids. Deficiencies in vitamin B12 and folate may also cause a low monocyte blood count. (www.ehow.com/about_5606257_signs-monocytes-blood-cell-count.)

Susceptible to infection