What are potential causes for leukocytosis, characterized by an increase in white blood cells?

Leukocytosis, which refers to an elevated white blood cell count, can commonly occur due to infection and inflammation. When the body detects an infection, whether bacterial or viral, it often responds by producing and releasing more white blood cells, which are crucial for fighting off pathogens. Similarly, inflammation, which can result from various causes such as trauma, allergies, or autoimmune responses, also triggers the immune response, leading to increased white blood cell production.

This makes infection and inflammation significant triggers for leukocytosis, as they both indicate that the body is active in responding to potential threats, whether they be from infectious agents or injuries. Other factors associated with leukocytosis, albeit not as directly tied to the classic understanding of its causes, do not share as strong a link as infection and inflammation do.