Measurement of C-reactive protein (CRP) is helpful in the clinical management of a patient with infection symptoms.

CRP is an acute-phase protein which is normally present at very low concentrations in the blood of healthy people. CRP concentrations are markedly increased in bacterial infections and in connection with tissue injury and surgery. Viral infections, on the other hand, rarely produce a significant change in CRP concentration.

CRP helps to distinguish bacterial infections from viral infections. It is useful in monitoring the course of an illness, monitoring and controlling postoperative infections and following up the efficacy of antimicrobial therapy.

Measurement of CRP by ultrasensitive assays can be helpful in assessing the risk of cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disease.