A high white blood cell count is usually seen in two ways. One of the most common cases is a combination of infection and inflammation that causes elevated white blood cells, which is a defensive reaction of the body. In this case, the patient will have elevated neutrophils and should be treated with appropriate antibacterial medication, either intravenous or oral antibiotics, depending on the infection. Another rare condition is an abnormal increase in white blood cells, usually greater than 20,000 and 30,000 units or more. Patients need to rule out hematologic disorders such as leukemia and lymphoma, and if necessary, peripheral blood smears and bone marrow aspiration are needed to confirm the diagnosis. If the diagnosis of hematologic disorders is confirmed, further hospitalization is required for aggressive treatment, including chemotherapy if necessary.