Glomerulonephritis - post-streptococcal; Post-infectious glomerulonephritis

There is no specific treatment for post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. Treatment is focused on relieving symptoms.

Antibiotics, such as penicillin, should be used to destroy any streptococcal bacteria that remain in the body. Blood pressure medications and diuretic medications may be needed to control swelling and high blood pressure. Corticosteroids and other anti-inflammatory medications are generally not effective.

Dietary salt restriction may be necessary to control swelling and high blood pressure.

Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis usually goes away by itself after several weeks to months. In a minority of adults, it may progress to chronic kidney failure.

• Acute renal failure
• Chronic glomerulonephritis
• Chronic renal failure
• Congestive heart failure or pulmonary edema
• End-stage renal disease
• Hyperkalemia
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Nephrotic syndrome

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of post-streptococcal GN.

If you have experienced post-streptococcal GN, call your health care provider if you have decreased urine output or other new symptoms.

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Kidney anatomy

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Review Date: 11/30/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Herbert Y. Lin, MD, PHD, Nephrologist, Massachusetts General Hospital; Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)