Does aplastic anemia cause fever?

Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
Updated on September 24, 2024
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Aplastic anemia itself does not cause fever in patients; however, individuals with aplastic anemia experience a decrease in all blood cells, including white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. A significant reduction in white blood cells, such as in a state of neutropenia, can lower a patient's resistance to infections, which makes it easy for secondary infections to occur and thus induce fever. Furthermore, in cases of severe anemia, severe aplastic anemia can also lead to the occurrence of low-grade fever in patients. On the other hand, a reduction in platelets generally does not cause fever. Therefore, when a patient with aplastic anemia has a fever, it is important to determine the cause of the fever.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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What medicine is used for aplastic anemia?

The main drugs used for aplastic anemia are immunosuppressants and cyclosporine. In addition to cyclosporine, low doses of hormones, androgens, and traditional Chinese medicine can also be used to stimulate bone marrow hematopoiesis. If the medication is effective, continue with oral administration; if ineffective, further consideration of bone marrow transplantation is needed. During the treatment process, it is necessary to regularly review the routine blood tests and, if necessary, provide support treatment with red blood cell and platelet transfusions.

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Aplastic anemia is classified into several types.

Aplastic anemia is divided into two types: acute aplastic anemia and chronic aplastic anemia. Acute aplastic anemia presents suddenly and is severe. Treatment requires intensified immunotherapy or suppression of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Chronic aplastic anemia develops slowly, has a longer history, and is relatively less severe. The treatment for chronic aplastic anemia mainly involves immunotherapy combined with therapy to promote hematopoiesis. In addition, regardless of the type, all cases of aplastic anemia require regular complete blood count checks and, when necessary, supportive treatment with red blood cell and platelet transfusions.

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The etiology of aplastic anemia

The etiology of aplastic anemia currently has no absolute cause, but the more supported theories concerning its etiology include the soil, pest, and seed theories. The soil theory refers to abnormalities in the microenvironment within the bone marrow, which causes an abnormal growth environment for hematopoietic stem cells, consequently limiting their growth. The seed theory indicates a decrease in the number and quality of hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow, leading to bone marrow regeneration failure. The pest theory refers to immunological factors, which play a significant role in aplastic anemia, suggesting a disorder in the patient's immune function that leads to bone marrow regeneration failure.

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What causes aplastic anemia?

Aplastic anemia's exact causes are still not completely clear. Clinically, it is believed that immune dysfunction is a significant factor associated with aplastic anemia. Most cases of aplastic anemia can achieve good therapeutic outcomes through immunosuppressive treatment, which indirectly supports this view. However, some scholars believe that in aplastic anemia, there are patients for whom immunosuppressive treatment is ineffective. This suggests that other factors might exist, such as congenital anomalies in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, or abnormalities in the hematopoietic microenvironment, which may also play a role in the development of aplastic anemia.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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Is aplastic anemia contagious?

Aplastic anemia is a bone marrow failure disease and is not infectious; it cannot be transmitted. Aplastic anemia is considered a hematological disorder and should be routinely diagnosed and treated in the department of hematology. It falls under the category of bone marrow failure diseases, and its main clinical manifestations are infection, anemia, and bleeding, with a complete blood count showing a decrease in all blood cells. Patients with aplastic anemia can be divided into acute aplastic anemia and chronic aplastic anemia, and there are some differences in the treatment of the two.