Lymphopenia Symptoms

People who have lymphopenia may have no symptoms at all. If you get colds or pneumonia often or a more unusual infection, your healthcare provider may suspect that you have lymphopenia.

A low lymphocyte count alone may not cause any symptoms. Lymphopenia usually is found during a routine health checkup or when you’re being tested for other diseases or conditions, such as HIV infection.

Lymphopenia can cause one of the signs or symptoms below.

Frequent infections, such as colds or pneumonia
Unusual infections caused by microbes microbe (MY-krohb):
A very small organism. This may include bacteria, viruses, and fungi. , fungi, or parasites parasite (PAR-uh-site):
An animal or plant that survives by living on or in another organism that is from a different species. Parasites are living organisms, but may get some or all of their nutrients from their host. that rarely cause problems for people who have healthy immune system immune system (ih-MYOON sis-tum):
The body’s system of defense against viruses, bacteria, and other foreign materials. It includes many kinds of cells and interrelated responses.
Long-lasting infections, such as tuberculosis
Missing or abnormal tonsils (small organs in the back of the throat)
Swollen lymph nodes lymph node (lymph node):
A structure of the lymphatic system, which collects fluid from around the body. Lymph nodes contain many white blood cells, which are involved in immunity.
Skin conditions and abnormalities, such as alopecia (sudden hair loss), eczema (long-term itchy, red skin), pyoderma (bumps on skin that turn into swollen, open sores), pale skin, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), small bruises, and sores in the mouth
Failure to thrive
A spleen spleen (spleen):
An organ that filters blood, stores blood cells, removes old blood cells, and makes immune cells known as lymphocytes. It is located in the upper left side of the abdomen. that is larger than normal that your healthcare provider can feel in an exam

Your provider will do a physical exam and ask you about your symptoms to help diagnose lymphopenia. You will also likely need a blood test to confirm the diagnosis.