Final answer:
Children exhibit increased absolute lymphocytes primarily in response to viral infections as part of their immune response. Lymphocytes, which include T cells and B cells, play a crucial role in adaptive immunity by fighting pathogens and producing antibodies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Children may exhibit increased absolute lymphocytes primarily due to a viral infection. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that play a central role in the adaptive immune system. There are two main types of lymphocytes: T cells and B cells. T cells destroy infected cells or release chemicals that regulate immune responses, while B cells are responsible for producing antibodies that neutralize pathogens.
When children have a viral infection, their bodies produce more lymphocytes to fight off the invading virus. This increase is a normal part of the immune response. In contrast, bacterial infections typically do not cause a significant increase in lymphocytes; instead, other types of white blood cells, like neutrophils, are more likely to increase. Autoimmune disorders and parasitic infections can also alter lymphocyte counts, but they are not typically associated with the significant increases seen in viral infections.