Can norovirus infection increase CRP levels?

Question

Hello doctor,

I had a CRP (C-reactive protein) of 100, which is a sign of bacterial infection, but the test showed norovirus which should give a CRP of below 5 mg/dL. What could be the reason for my extreme illness and high CRP? Is this a sign of an underlying illness, or is it a sign of an overactive immune response? My sister has Sarcodiosis and I have asthma and allergies.

Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is the marker of inflammation, not bacterial infection.

Yes, you are right, it will be high in bacterial infections because all infections can cause inflammation, but in non-bacterial infections like viral or fungal infections, it will go up too. It can go up with non-infective inflammation conditions like severe asthma, allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis.

In your case, three possibilities are:

Norovirus itself.
Superimposed bacterial Infection (there is a possibility, but I do not know your history, so cannot say it for sure).
Non-infective inflammation, if your asthma or allergies are bad these days.

I hope this has helped you.

Please feel free to reach me again, in case of further queries.

Thank you.