What is the examination for whole blood C-reactive protein

Whole blood C-reactive protein is mainly used to detect inflammation or infection in the body and is an important indicator for evaluating inflammatory response. The whole blood C-reactive protein test mainly plays a role in screening infectious diseases, monitoring inflammatory activity, cardiovascular disease risk assessment, postoperative recovery assessment, and auxiliary diagnosis of autoimmune diseases.

1. Screening of infectious diseases

The increase of whole blood C-reactive protein level is common in bacterial infections, such as pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, suppurative tonsillitis, etc. When infected with a virus, this indicator usually does not increase significantly and can be used for preliminary identification of the type of infection. When the examination results are abnormally elevated, the site of infection should be determined based on clinical symptoms.

2. Inflammatory activity monitoring

This indicator can reflect the degree of disease activity in chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. The numerical changes are related to the severity of symptoms such as joint swelling and morning stiffness, which can help doctors adjust anti-inflammatory treatment plans.

3. Cardiovascular disease risk assessment

The detection of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein can predict the risk of atherosclerosis, and the continuous high value indicates that there is chronic low-grade inflammation in vascular endothelium. This kind of examination is often used to screen the complications of patients with metabolic syndrome and diabetes.

4. Postoperative recovery assessment

After surgery, there will be a physiological increase in whole blood C-reactive protein, which normally peaks within 3-5 days and gradually decreases. If it continues to rise or rises again, it may indicate complications such as postoperative infection and anastomotic leakage, which require further examination and confirmation.

5. Auxiliary Diagnosis of Autoimmune Diseases

Systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis, and other diseases often have elevated C-reactive protein levels during the active phase, but the magnitude of the increase is usually lower than that of bacterial infections. Comprehensive judgment should be made by combining specific tests such as anti nuclear antibody spectrum. Before the SEP examination, fasting is not necessary, but temporary elevation may occur after acute trauma or intense exercise. It is recommended to comprehensively interpret indicators such as blood routine and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and complete relevant examinations under the guidance of a doctor when the values are abnormal. Daily attention should be paid to observing inflammation related symptoms such as changes in body temperature and wound healing, and avoiding the unauthorized use of antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs.