5 ms·
CRP has a three day delay - it gives you an idea of what was going on. Fevers are induced my macrophages encountering the antigen and are quite immediate.
by dm319 5y ago
CRP has a three day delay - it gives you an idea of what was going on. Fevers are induced my macrophages encountering the antigen and are quite immediate.
- tuukkah 5y agoI was replying to a case where there was no fever but CRP was high when measured. I have been in a similar situation where after several days of illness my condition didn't appear bad enough and the doctor sent me home. This was some 15 years ago and they didn't have quick tests back then, but luckily they did prescribe a lab CRP test and called me back in for treatment immediately after they got the lab result later that day.
- dm319 5y agoYes, all these tests have different characteristics. I think I was making the point that there isn't an "infection" test. Temperature's are useful because they are an immediate response by your body and they can be checked instantly in remote locations. CRP is a fairly standard test, but it is raised in infection/inflammation/surgery etc, and the delay can be unhelpful. Other tests include blood cultures (low sensitivity), white cell count (again quite none specific) and then more location-specific tests, like xrays, CTs, PET-CTs, urinalysis. A lot depends on your index of suspicion, how well the person is, what the risks are of getting it wrong (in both directions), what safety nets you have available to you (i.e. are they home with someone sensible who can keep an eye on them). In summary - there is no perfect test or perfect heuristic to apply to everyone.