High CRP and ESR for the first time ever in bloods since 2015.

[Queencara78]

Hi all, I had been feeling unwell for 6 days and knew I needed antibiotics but put off seeing my GP until after I had my planned appointment for extensive blood tests including ANA and ENA because I didnt want the meds affecting the tests.

The bloods were done on Wednesday morning and on Thursday I was called to my surgery to see a Dr because there was very high levels of infection and/or inflammation in my blood. Took a swab of my throat as have a few pus spots, but Dr said she didnt think it was enough to explain the level of infection so sent swab for culture study and started me on 2000mg of penicillin per day for 10 days. Can anyone help with advice if they have experienced this before please, and could these levels both be attributed solely to infection or as I am being monitored for suspected CTD could it be both things causing these high levels?

[Evesdoc]

Yes, it’s likely to be the acute infection. Get them rechecked after the course of abx

[LucyJean]

Hi there, CRP and ESR are the inflammatory markers they will use to monitor levels of inflammation related to connective tissue disease so they will rise if you have active disease present. Usually the ESR is the more reliable marker for CTD. However, CRP in particular is affected by other inflammatory processes such infections/viruses. From what you describe it sounds like the infection that is the main culprit here and I am sure that once they have treated the infection that your markers will reduce drastically.

When you have an infection then the immune system becomes very active in order to fight it off. As connective tissue diseases are also related to an active immune system, although in this instance targeting your own cells rather than the foreign bacteria/virus, then it is possible that if you do have a CTD you will also get a flare of the disease.

I hope that makes sense. Basically, treat the infection, and recuperate and see what you have symptom wise then. That will be the accurate picture of your usual symptoms.

All my best

Lucy xx