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Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that play a crucial role in the immune response, particularly in fighting off infections. In the bloodstream, neutrophils typically have a lifespan of about 1 to 2 days. This short lifespan is essential for their function. After a few days, any neutrophils that are not activated to fight infection or do not migrate to tissues for their immune response will naturally undergo apoptosis, or programmed cell death.

The timing reflects their rapid response system; they are produced rapidly in the bone marrow and released into circulation, where they respond to signals of infection. Their ability to quickly enter sites of infection or inflammation is critical for effective immune response, contributing to their relatively brief circulation time before they die. While neutrophils may live longer in the tissue (up to several days) once they have migrated from the bloodstream, their lifespan in circulation specifically aligns with the 1 to 2-day timeframe suggested.