Can norovirus infection increase CRP levels?
Patient's Query
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.
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.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.