I am 78 and have been on hydrea for 7 years. Periodically, The doc and I have adjusted the dose down and up as my red and white blood count drops or my platelets get too high but my count has always remained under 700 and now is in the mid 400's. I have not noticed any significant increase in infections, even after adding Prolia for osteoporosis, which also lowers your count. Healthy diet, walking, avoiding crowds, getting all my vaccinations and masking in places like the supermarket have gotten me through so far. I believe my condition is the result of moving and playing on piles of foundry fill from the local steel mill, which my Dad got free to raise the soil around our house. Back then (1950) no one understood how toxic this material was. I had two brothers who died from multiple sclerosis which I also blame on the toxic metals.