What is being tested?C-reactive protein (CRP) is a
protein made by the liver and secreted into the blood. It is often the first evidence of
inflammation or an infection in the body. Its concentration increases in the blood within a few hours after the start of infection or other inflammatory injury. Its rise in the blood often precedes pain, fever, or other clinical indicators. The level of CRP can jump a thousand-fold in response to inflammation and then drop relatively quickly as soon as the inflammation passes, making it a valuable test to monitor effectiveness of treatment.
