What lab results indicate a potential infection?

An elevated white blood cell count (WBC) is a strong indicator of a potential infection in the body. White blood cells are a critical component of the immune system, tasked with fighting off infections and foreign invaders. When an infection occurs, the body responds by producing more white blood cells to combat the pathogens, thus causing a measurable increase in their count. Therefore, high levels of white blood cells suggest that the immune system is actively responding to something, making it a crucial lab result for detecting infections.

Other lab results, such as low hemoglobin levels, normal white blood cell counts, and high platelet counts, do not directly indicate the presence of an infection. Low hemoglobin could suggest anemia, normal WBCs could indicate no immune response or infection, and while a high platelet count may suggest other issues such as inflammation or clotting disorders, it does not specifically point to an infection. Therefore, the best indicator of a potential infection in this context is the elevated white blood cell count.