Lymphopenia Treatment

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If you have mild lymphopenia with no underlying cause, you may not need treatment. The disorder may improve on its own. If you have unusual or repeat infections, or infections that won't go away, you'll need treatment for these infections. If you have a disease or condition that's causing lymphopenia, your provider will prescribe treatment for that illness.

A low lymphocyte count makes it hard for your body to fight infections. You may get infections caused by virus virus (VY-rus):
A microbe that infects cells and may cause disease. Viruses can multiply only when they are inside a host cell, so they are not considered living organisms. , fungi, 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. , or bacteria bacteria (bak-TEER-ee-uh):
Living organisms that have only one cell. Most bacteria are harmless; however, some types of bacteria cause infections and disease in people. When bacteria cause infections or disease, doctors prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection. The singular form of “bacteria” is “bacterium.” . Treatment for an infection will depend on its cause. You also may need treatment after an infection is gone to help prevent repeat infections.

People who have serious, ongoing bacterial infections may get a medicine called immunoglobulin. This medicine helps boost the immune system and fight infections. In some cases, when there is a low level of immunoglobulins, your provider may indicate regular infusion of Immunoglobulins to prevent infections.

Many diseases and conditions raise your risk of developing lymphopenia. Some examples include lupus or other autoimmune autoimmune (AW-toh-ih-MYOON):
A term describing cells and antibodies that a person’s body makes to attack its own tissues, as happens in autoimmune diseases. disorders, aplastic anemia, infections such as HIV, and inherited inherited (in-HAYR-ih-ted):
The passing of genetic information from a parent to a child through genes. diseases such as Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.

Your treatment will depend on the specific disease or health condition you have. Once you receive medicine or other treatment for the medical condition causing lymphopenia, the levels of lymphocytes in your blood will likely improve.

Researchers are actively studying ways to increase lymphocyte production in people who have lymphopenia. For example, some studies are looking into a treatment called blood and marrow stem cell transplants. This procedure may help treat or cure some of the conditions that can cause a low lymphocyte count. Other studies are looking at medicines and other substances that can help the body make more lymphocytes.