You must have recently heard that the C-reactive protein (CRP) test is mandatory for patients with critical conditions in-hospital care. As a result, many COVID Monitoring Profile Test Packages are offering CRP tests. Furthermore, many doctors are even recommending it for Covid positive patients who are in home isolation with moderate to mild symptoms or those who have recently recovered.
So, what exactly is a CRP test? If it is not a diagnostic test, but rather has a prognostic value; why are doctors recommending it?
Here in this article, we will decode the CRP test and how it can help Coronavirus patients.
CRP Test: A Significant Biomarker
CRP is an acronym for C-reactive protein. It is a blood test that is used to detect the presence of inflammation or an infection. In any COVID Monitoring Profile Test Package, this is a commonly used blood marker as increased levels may indicate that the infection is spreading in the body.
Inflammation is generally a broad term that describes the release of chemicals in the immune responses. The test helps integrate signals from different proteins involved in inflammation (called cytokines). Thus, the CRP test enables the physician to get a detailed inflammatory activity of the patient.
C-Reactive is a protein molecule made by the liver in the blood. In a healthy person, usually, the CRP levels in the blood are low. However, if there is a higher CRP level than the normal level, it indicates that the infection is increasing.
The normal C-Reactive protein concentration level is less than 10mg/L. In severe Covid cases, an elevated CRP (average 20 to 50 mg/L) were seen. If the CRP is more than 70mg/L, even with normal levels of oxygen saturation-, it may mean an impending cytokine storm, which needs immediate interventions. The cytokines in the body fight against the pathogens, but they can result in lung tissue damage when the system is in a hyperactive mode.
At times, high CRP levels may also indicate a serious condition or other medical conditions. Hence, the CRP test has found an important role in the COVID monitoring profile test package.
Importance of CRP test for the Treatment of COVID-19 Patients
Doctors recommend CRP tests for patients with critical conditions who are in hospital care. Because the test is one of the indicators showing the body’s reaction to the ongoing treatment.
If the CRP test comes out to be normal, it means that the patient’s body is reacting to the treatment positively. But if it is higher than the required levels, the doctors must check the infection level in the body through other tests like CT scans.
The patients who are in home isolation due to novel coronavirus are recommended CRP test if they do not show any improvement in their symptoms even after the passing of a week or so. For example, if a patient in home isolation observes a decrease in oxygen level, then doctors recommend the test to determine the inflammation level in the body.
Apart from using the COVID-19 Antibody Test Kit in Noida, patients who have recovered from Covid-19 should also use the coronavirus health profile test to monitor their vital organs. When done on time, these tests can help to reduce the possibility of the infection turning in severity from mild to moderate.
