What is a C-reactive protein (CRP) test?

A C-reactive protein (CRP) blood test, also known as a CRP test, is generally used to identify the presence of inflammation, determine its severity, and monitor the patient’s response to treatment.

CRP, or C-reactive protein, is something called an acute phase reactant, which basically means it’s a protein made by the liver and released into the blood within a few hours after tissue injury. The onset of an infection or other inflammatory condition is frequently the first sign of systemic inflammation or an infection. In this sense, rising concentrations frequently occur prior to someone experiencing things like pain, fever, or other clinical indicators.

It’s not very specific to one particular disease, but it is a useful general marker of inflammation caused by infection or injury. The concentration of CRP in the blood can even jump a thousandfold in response to inflammation, and it can be valuable in monitoring disease activity. 

Doctors can use CRP levels, specifically the trend in CRP levels, in conjunction with other factors, such as signs and symptoms, physical exam findings, and other tests, to determine whether you have an acute inflammatory condition or a flare-up of a chronic inflammatory condition.  Before knowing, the c-reactive protein (CRP) test palam,  you should check whether you need it or not!

When do you need a c-reactive protein (CRP) test palam?

You need a CRP test when there are symptoms of 

• Fever.
• Chills.
• Rapid breathing (tachypnea).
• Rapid heart rate (tachycardia).
• Nausea and vomiting.

CRP can be a useful blood test in assessing patients with various conditions that have an inflammatory component to them, such as inflammatory bowel disease, some forms of arthritis, and autoimmune diseases. These conditions can have a suspected serious bacterial infection, such as sepsis or pelvic inflammatory disease, otherwise known as PID, and CRP can also be used to monitor patients after surgery or other invasive procedures to look for the presence of a bacterial infection. 

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What infections cause high CRP?

High levels of CRP (C-reactive protein) in the blood can be a sign of inflammation or infection in the body. Some common infections that can cause elevated CRP levels to include:

1. Respiratory infections: Pneumonia, bronchitis, and other respiratory infections can cause elevated CRP levels
2. Gastrointestinal infections: Stomach and intestinal infections, such as food poisoning or a salmonella infection, can cause high CRP levels.
3. Skin infections: cellulitis, abscesses, and other skin infections can cause elevated CRP levels.
4. Urinary tract infections: Urinary tract infections, such as bladder or kidney infections, can cause high CRP levels.
5. Systemic infections: Serious infections, such as sepsis or endocarditis, can cause elevated CRP levels.

It is important to note that elevated CRP levels can also be a sign of other conditions, such as autoimmune diseases, injuries, or cancer, and may not always be directly caused by an infection. Our healthcare provider can best determine the cause of elevated CRP levels and provide you with the appropriate treatment.

Results of the c-reactive protein (CRP) test palam

In general, a high or increasing amount of CRP in your blood could indicate that you have an acute infection or inflammation, but it doesn’t help in identifying its location or the condition causing it. 

For people with chronic inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, high concentrations of c-reactive protein may indicate a flare-up or that treatment has not been effective, but it’s important to look at the trend in CRP levels and see if there’s any correlation.

If the CRP concentration in your blood does drop, it could mean you’re getting better and the inflammation is being reduced. It’s also important to remember that CRP concentrations can be elevated in the later stages of pregnancy with the use of birth control pills or in women taking hormone replacement therapy. CRP levels have also been found to be higher in patients who are regarded as clinically obese.