Question
A 6-year-old girl has been undergoing intravenous treatment for pneumonia for four days, but her symptoms have not improved. The parents are puzzled by the CRP index rising from 8 to 25.
Answer
CRP is a non-specific indicator of inflammation. While it indicates the presence of inflammation, the CRP index typically rises 4-6 hours after inflammation occurs and reaches its peak after 36-50 hours. Therefore, the initial test may be during the rise phase of CRP, and the follow-up test after anti-inflammatory treatment may show an elevated CRP index even if the inflammation has not completely disappeared, leading to a higher CRP level. This is why the CRP index may decrease in the second test. It is recommended to follow the doctor’s instructions, continue with oral antibiotic treatment, and recheck the CRP index after one week.