Can a blood routine test detect the degree of inflammation in the body?

Blood routine can preliminarily reflect the degree of inflammation in the body. Blood routine examination mainly indirectly evaluates inflammatory response through indicators such as white blood cell count, neutrophil ratio, C-reactive protein, etc., mainly including changes in indicators such as increased white blood cell count, increased neutrophil ratio, changes in lymphocyte ratio, increased C-reactive protein, and accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

1. Elevated white blood cell count

White blood cells are an important component of the human immune system. When the body experiences inflammatory reactions such as bacterial infections, the bone marrow accelerates the production of white blood cells, leading to an increase in the total number of white blood cells in peripheral blood. Diseases such as bacterial pneumonia and acute appendicitis are often accompanied by a significant increase in white blood cells, but viral infections may manifest as normal or mild decrease in white blood cells. The examination results should be comprehensively judged based on clinical symptoms and other indicators.

2. Increased proportion of neutrophils

Neutrophils are the main immune cells that respond to acute bacterial infections, and they rapidly proliferate and release inflammatory mediators during inflammatory reactions. Acute bacterial infections such as suppurative tonsillitis and cellulitis typically result in a neutrophil percentage exceeding 70%, and may also cause left shift of neutrophil nuclei. But long-term use of glucocorticoids may also cause similar changes.

3. Changes in lymphocyte proportion

Viral infection often causes an increase in the absolute value or proportion of lymphocytes, such as the appearance of atypical lymphocytes in infectious mononucleosis. Some chronic inflammations or autoimmune diseases may manifest as a decrease in the proportion of lymphocytes. The changes in lymphocytes during EB virus and cytomegalovirus infection are characteristic and require serological examination for a clear diagnosis.

4. Elevated C-reactive protein

C-reactive protein is an acute phase reactive protein that can significantly increase 6-8 hours after inflammation or tissue injury. The degree of CRP elevation during bacterial infection is usually higher than that of viral infection, and severe infections such as purulent arthritis and sepsis can reach several tens of times the normal value. CRP detection has high sensitivity but low specificity, and non infectious factors such as trauma and surgery need to be excluded.

5. Accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation rate

Increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate indicates that there is inflammation or abnormal protein in the body. Chronic inflammation, such as rheumatic fever and tuberculosis, often has significantly accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. However, physiological conditions such as anemia and menstrual period can also affect the results, which need to be analyzed in conjunction with other indicators. Some malignant tumors or connective tissue diseases may only present as sustained rapid increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the early stage.

Blood routine examination requires fasting blood collection to ensure accurate results, and vigorous exercise should be avoided before the examination. If abnormal inflammatory indicators are found, it is recommended to complete specific tests such as procalcitonin and serum amyloid A. Daily attention should be paid to observing inflammation symptoms such as fever and local redness and swelling, maintaining sufficient rest and balanced nutrition, and avoiding self use of antibiotics. When inflammation indicators remain abnormal or accompanied by other symptoms, timely medical attention should be sought, and the doctor should evaluate whether further blood culture, imaging, and other examinations are needed.