C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase, inducible protein. It can increase a 1000-fold or more in the blood at the time of an injury, inflammation or tissue death. It is an Inflammatory Marker. A CRP test is done in order to diagnose inflammation and disease activity in the body.
CRP are known to destroy foreign pathogens inside our body by inducing a complement immune response against them. The normal concentration of CRP in the blood is known to be less than 10 mg/L.
Covid-19 and Pneumonia infection.
Pneumonia is an inflammation of the air sacs of the lungs caused due to an injury or an infection, due to a virus or bacteria. It is transmitted between people from direct contact or inhaling coughed or sneezed droplets in the air.
SARS-CoV-2 (causes COVID-19) and influenza viruses are known to cause severe pneumonia. Sometimes a person might also develop a secondary infection caused by a bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pneumoniae, while infected by the virus originally.
Elderly people and young children are more prone to pneumonia infection. People with preexisting lung diseases, mal-nutrition, and other chronic health problems or problems with their immune system are at higher risk of pneumonia. Along with those who smoke or are exposed regularly to tobacco smoke.
Pneumonia (and then Covid-19 severity) detection by CRP Levels in the body.
Common symptoms of corona virus are not that much severe in normal/ healthy people. But when any immunocompromised or critical person, suffering from any chronic illness contracts the virus, then there is a life or death situation. In this case when the patient is attacked by the virus, the immune system fails to condemn the infection.
As a result, the virus reaches the lungs and causes pneumonia. Patients with pneumonia due to covid-19, experience a significant increase in CRP up to 20 to 50 mg/L. A rise in CRP levels in the body could be very lethal, and the patient should be immediately admitted in the hospital under constant oxygen supply.
