Is Your White Blood Cell Count Elevated?
Hello Doctor,
I took my son to the hospital on January 26th with a ruptured appendix. They started him on antibiotics and inserted a drain. Two days later, they removed the drain and sent him home on January 31st without prescribing any antibiotics, telling me they would remove the appendix in 4-6 weeks. I took him to my clinic today, and they drew blood. His white cell count is still elevated. Is this normal, or should I take him back to the emergency room?
Hello,
Thank you for reaching out to Dr. Galen. Please find the below response to your query.
A ruptured appendix is indeed one of the more unpleasant complications of appendicitis. I agree that he should be on antibiotics for at least 10 days to help prevent further infection. It’s important to ensure that he can eat and drink without issue before being discharged from the hospital. As for returning to the emergency room, it depends on how he feels. I recommend keeping an eye on his temperature, abdominal condition, appetite, and any signs of nausea or vomiting. If any of these worsen, seeking immediate care would be necessary. Be sure to follow up regularly with his surgeon to monitor his progress and make the necessary decisions about further treatment.
Thanks
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