Patient education: Procalcitonin test (The Basics)

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What is a procalcitonin test? — A procalcitonin test is a type of blood test. It can help tell whether an infection is viral or bacterial. High procalcitonin levels might mean that an infection is bacterial. Low procalcitonin levels might mean that an infection is viral. But the test is not perfect. Other tests are usually needed to find out for sure whether an infection is viral or bacterial.

Doctors sometimes use this test, plus other tests, to help decide whether to use antibiotics to treat an infection like pneumonia. Doctors also consider other things when deciding whether to use antibiotics.

Why might I get a procalcitonin test? — Your doctor might want you to get a procalcitonin test to:

●Help find out if an infection is causing your symptoms

●Help find out what type of infection you have

●See if antibiotic treatment for an infection is working

●Know how long to give you antibiotics for

What do my results mean? — Your doctor or nurse will talk to you about what your results mean and what to do next.

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This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Feb 02, 2024.

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Patient education: Procalcitonin test (The Basics)