Post-Streptococcal Glomerulonephritis: All You Need to Know
Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (gloe-mer-u-low-nuh-FRY-tis) — or PSGN — is a rare kidney disease that can develop after group A strep infections. The main way to prevent PSGN is to prevent group A strep infections.
- PSGN Is a Rare Complication from a Prior Group A Strep Infection
- You Cannot Catch PSGN from Someone Else
- Warning Signs Usually Point to Kidney Issues
- Children Most Often Affected
- Doctors Look at How Well the Kidneys Are Working
- Treatment Focuses on Managing Swelling, Blood Pressure
- Serious Complications Include Long-term Kidney Damage
- Protect Yourself and Others
PSGN is a kidney disease that can develop after infections caused by bacteria called group A Streptococcus (group A strep). These infections include throat and skin infections like strep throat, scarlet fever, and impetigo. PSGN is not a group A strep infection of the kidneys. Instead PSGN results from the body’s immune system fighting off the group A strep throat or skin infection.
It usually takes about 10 days after the start of symptoms of strep throat or scarlet fever for PSGN to develop. It takes about 3 weeks after the start of symptoms of group A strep skin infection for PSGN to develop.
People cannot catch PSGN from someone else because it is an immune response and not an infection. However, people with a group A strep infection can spread the bacteria to others, primarily through respiratory droplets.
Symptoms of PSGN can include:
- Dark, reddish-brown urine
- Swelling (edema), especially in the face, around the eyes, and in the hands and feet
- Decreased need to pee or decreased amount of urine
- Feeling tired due to low iron levels in the blood (fatigue due to mild anemia)
In addition, someone with PSGN usually has:
- Protein in the urine
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
Some people may have no symptoms or symptoms that are so mild that they don’t seek medical help.
Anyone can get PSGN after recovering from strep throat, scarlet fever, or impetigo. People at increased risk for those infections are also at increased risk for getting PSGN.
PSGN is more common in children than adults. Developing PSGN after strep throat or scarlet fever is most common in young, school-age children. Developing PSGN after impetigo is most common in preschool-age children.
Doctors diagnose PSGN by looking at a patient’s medical history and ordering lab tests. Doctors can test urine samples to look for protein and blood. Doctors can also do a blood test to see how well the kidneys are working. They can also determine if a patient recently had a group A strep infection.
Treatment of PSGN focuses on managing symptoms as needed:
- Decreasing swelling (edema) by limiting salt and water intake or by prescribing a medication that increases the flow of urine (diuretic)
- Managing high blood pressure (hypertension) through blood pressure medication
People with PSGN who may still have group A strep in their throat are often provided antibiotics, preferably penicillin.
Most people who develop PSGN recover within a few weeks without any complications. While rare, long-term kidney damage, including kidney failure, can occur. These rare complications are more common in adults than children.
The main way to prevent PSGN is to prevent group A strep infections like strep throat, scarlet fever, and impetigo. Getting a group A strep infection does not protect someone from getting it again in the future. There are no vaccines to prevent group A strep. However, there are things people can do to protect themselves and others.
Good Hygiene Helps Prevent Group A Strep Infections
The best way to keep from getting or spreading group A strep is to wash your hands often. This is especially important after coughing or sneezing and before preparing foods or eating. To practice good hygiene you should:
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
- Put your used tissue in the waste basket
- Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands, if you don’t have a tissue
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Use an alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water are not available
You should also wash glasses, utensils, and plates after someone who is sick uses them. These items are safe for others to use once washed.
Antibiotics Help Prevent Spreading the Infection to Others
Prevent spreading group A strep infections to others. People with a group A strep infection should stay home from work, school, or daycare until they:
- No longer have a fever
- Have taken antibiotics for at least 24 hours
Take the prescription exactly as the doctor says to. Don’t stop taking the medicine, even if you or your child feel better, unless the doctor says to stop.