Word: Differential Blood Count
Definition:
A "differential blood count" is a medical test that measures how many different types of white blood cells are in a specific amount of blood. It helps doctors understand your health better by showing if your body is fighting an infection or if there are any other problems.
Usage Instructions:
You can use this term when talking about blood tests or health check-ups. It is often included in a complete blood count (CBC) test, which checks many aspects of your blood.
Example Sentence:
"The doctor ordered a differential blood count to see if I had an infection."
Advanced Usage:
In a medical context, you might say, "The differential blood count revealed an elevated level of neutrophils, indicating a possible bacterial infection." Here, "neutrophils" is one type of white blood cell.
Word Variants:
- Differential Count: A shorter version of the term that still means the same thing. - Complete Blood Count (CBC): A broader test that includes the differential blood count as one part.
Different Meaning:
While "differential" can refer to differences in general, in this medical context, it specifically relates to the differences in types of white blood cells.
Synonyms:
- White blood cell differential - WBC differential
Idioms:
There are no specific idioms related to "differential blood count," but you might hear phrases like "in good health" or "under the weather" when discussing general health.
Phrasal Verbs:
There are no common phrasal verbs that directly relate to "differential blood count." However, you might use "run tests" or "check up," as in "The doctor will run some tests, including a differential blood count."
Conclusion:
Understanding a differential blood count is important for health discussions. It helps you know more about how your body is functioning and if there are any health issues that need attention.