Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis( GN) is a form of glomerulonephritis caused by a streptococcal infection. Though, post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis is rare these days, an untreated strep infection can culminate in this complication in about a period of 1-2 weeks. In case the patient is suffering from a skin infection, the appearance of GN takes nearly 3 to 4 weeks.
Post-streptococcal GN is a rare complication in case of children. It should be noted that children of age 6-10 years are highly susceptible for sore throat infection- strep throat. But in adults, the risk of acquiring GN is high when they are not treated for strep throat and streptococcal skin infections like impetigo.
What happens in post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis?
In general, glomerulonephritis is a state of severe inflammation of nephrons and glomerulus. Nephrons are filtering unit of kidney without which, the filtering capacity of kidneys are drastically reduced. As a result of which the excretory function of kidney gets impaired, the severity of which depends on the extent of strep infection of the nephrons. The more the antibiotics are delayed in strep throat, the more severe post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis will be.
How is streptococcal glomerulonephritis manifested?
The common symptoms of streptococcal glomerulonephritis are:
• Generalized edema( swelling), prominent swelling in the abdomen, face, eyes, joints, ankles, feet, and hands.
• Reduced urine output
• Rusty urine.
• Blood stained urine.
• Joint pain
• Stiffness in the joints.
The patient suffering from Post-streptococcal GN may have to undergo certain physical examination for detecting the above said symptoms. Especially the swelling in face indicates kidney damage.
Auscultation( Abnormal sounds from heart or lungs) and high blood pressure are other signs of GN.
Some of the tests and procedures that may be required in accurate detection of streptococcal GN are serum complement level analysis, serum ASO, urinalysis, Anti-DNase B, and kidney biopsy,
How is post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis treated?
There is no strict regimen for treating streptococcal glomerulonephritis. Largely, the treatment is symptomatic and includes antibiotics, antihypertensive medicines, and diuretic medicines.
The antibiotics may include penicillin, cephalosporins, or macrolide antibiotics based on the spectrum of strep attack and allergenic nature of the medicines in the patients.
Antihypertensive medicines and diuretic medicines help to control swelling by altering the blood volume.
Treatment to GN should begin as early as possible; there are chances of streptococcal GN developing into chronic glomerulonephritis, acute renal failure, chronic renal disease, end-stage renal disease, congestive heart failure and pulmonary edema.
