Types of white blood cells

Among your white blood cells are:

• Monocytes. They have a longer lifespan than many white blood cells and help to break down bacteria.
• Lymphocytes. They create antibodies to defend against bacteria, viruses, and other potentially harmful invaders.
• Neutrophils. They kill and digest bacteria and fungi. They are the most numerous type of white blood cell and your first line of defense when infection strikes.
• Basophils. These small cells appear to sound an alarm when infectious agents invade your blood. They secrete chemicals such as histamine, a marker of allergic disease, that help control the body's immune response.
• Eosinophils. They attack and kill parasites, destroy cancer cells, and help with allergic responses.