Why inflammatory markers rise in STD/PID.

Inflammatory markers are produced by the body in response to infection or inflammation. In sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), the body’s immune response to the infection leads to the release of various inflammatory markers. These markers include cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).

The presence of STIs or PID causes an immune response that triggers the release of cytokines from immune cells. The cytokines signal other immune cells to migrate to the site of infection, resulting in local inflammation. The cytokines also activate the liver to produce CRP, which is a protein that binds to bacterial or viral particles, aiding in their clearance from the body. ESR, on the other hand, measures the rate at which red blood cells settle in a test tube, and it is an indicator of inflammation in the body.

In summary, the rise in inflammatory markers in STDs/PID is a result of the immune system’s response to the infection, which triggers the release of cytokines, CRP, and ESR as part of the inflammatory response.