Will a bone infection increase White Blood Cell count? What are ways to diagnose and what are symptoms?

Question

How does a physician diagnose a bone infection? What tests can they run and what do they usually look for first? White blood count? X-Ray of suspected bone? Other diagnosis?

What are symptoms?

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Yes, any infection will typically raise your white blood cell count.  Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, pain, redness, swelling over the area in question, drainage if wound is open, etc.

It is difficult to diagnose without blood testing, testing white cells, red cells, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (measures inflammation), and other chemistry panels. X Rays can be done, but are not really helpful if the infection has invaded the bone,  which is a condition called called osteomyelitis  which is abbreviated OM. Bone scans can help detect cancer lesions. Doctor may also opt to have a CAT scan or MRI done on the affected region.  

There are many risk factors including trauma, poor circulation (from smoking, or plainly diseased arteries, drug abuse, and preexisting conditions, such as diabetes, and immobility.

Antibiotic therapy is imperative as well as fluid replenishment and  to avoid the effects of dehydration. A diet high in protein is also needed to help repair the damage. If one is diabetic, they will need a special diet prepared for them, as diabetics have break downs in carbohydrate metabolism.

Bone infections are serious and can be life threatening!

Hope that helps. I have been a registered nurse for many years and have seen and cared for some ghastly bone infections. It takes time and care to recover from these.  

Answer 2

1) yes

2) x-ray, MRI, or bone scan....sometimes just evidence of infection without any other source and bone pain

Answer 3

People with bone infections are in a lot of pain that is unrelieved even by medication. White Blood Cell counts will confirm an infection, but to know where exactly it is may take a bone scan to determine. Bone scans will pick up on the location of an infection right away.