Normal banded neutrophil count is 1,500 cells per microliter. A count between 500-1000, is a grade 3 risk of
neutropenia, or low neutrophil count, with risk for infection.
Actually on the first day of fever and even for a day or two, initially when there is an infection, there is slight neutropenia. Then the body fights the infection and the neutrophils rise and by day five of fever most blood pictures will show increased neutrophil count.