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What Does ESR Of 73 And CRP Of 16 Indicate?

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Posted on Mon, 3 Nov 2014
Question: My 8yr old niece has an ESR of 73, CRP of 16 and a WBC of 20. Other symptoms are rash on and off and spiking fevers of 101.2. Tests thus far inconclusive. Looking at JRA systemic. Any ideas?
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Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (26 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It is a bacterial infection-needs treatment

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for posting on HealthCareMagic.
ESR is a non specific indicator of infection or inflammation within the body. It simply indicates that something is not right and the person is ill.
CRP or C-reactive protein is an acute phase reactant that more clearly denotes the infective or inflammatory process. There is more likelihood of a bacterial infection. The total leucocyte count or WBC of 20,000 per cumm is elevated and you can be sure that the fever is due to a bacterial infection and needs to be treated with antibiotics. In such case I would prefer hospitalisation so that IV antibiotics can be administered.
Information on the differential count would have been helpful. If neutrophils or polymorphs are elevated, be sure that it is a bacterial infection.

I do not think that the results are inconclusive. I can clearly draw a conclusion. Please get the child admitted and treated. No need to think on the lines of JRA as of now. Think about it only after the infection has been resolved.
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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Answered by
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Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3875 Questions

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What Does ESR Of 73 And CRP Of 16 Indicate?

Brief Answer: It is a bacterial infection-needs treatment Detailed Answer: Thanks for posting on HealthCareMagic. ESR is a non specific indicator of infection or inflammation within the body. It simply indicates that something is not right and the person is ill. CRP or C-reactive protein is an acute phase reactant that more clearly denotes the infective or inflammatory process. There is more likelihood of a bacterial infection. The total leucocyte count or WBC of 20,000 per cumm is elevated and you can be sure that the fever is due to a bacterial infection and needs to be treated with antibiotics. In such case I would prefer hospitalisation so that IV antibiotics can be administered. Information on the differential count would have been helpful. If neutrophils or polymorphs are elevated, be sure that it is a bacterial infection. I do not think that the results are inconclusive. I can clearly draw a conclusion. Please get the child admitted and treated. No need to think on the lines of JRA as of now. Think about it only after the infection has been resolved.