How long a time period does it take for glomerulonephritis to show any symptoms?

Answer 1

All kinds of strep infections can foster an inflammation of the kidneys

(acute glomerulonephritis), although the disease most often follows

impetigo. Less than 1 percent of all strep infections foster kidney disease,

but because certain strains of strep are particularly prone to causing this

complication, small epidemics of acute glomerulonephritis can crop up in

private homes or in schools.

Symptoms of the disorder include a puffy face due to water retention,

blood in the urine, pain in the loins, malaise, nausea, headache, and high

blood pressure. These symptoms usually surface one to three weeks following

a strep infection and subside within the same amount of time.

Diagnosis of acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis is based on

symptoms, a history of a recent strep infection, and elevated levels of

antibodies to strep in the blood. This form of kidney disease, like

rheumatic fever, is thought to stem from an overactive immune response to

strep.

Little can be done to prevent this heightened immune response once it's

begun, although various drugs (such as diuretics) and dietary measures (such

as restricted salt or protein intake) can ease many of its symptoms. Most

patients recover without any permanent problems, although occasionally

kidney damage inflicted by the disease may require dialysis or a kidney

transplant.

Patients rarely experience a recurrence of acute glomerulonephritis

following additional strep infections because of the immunity they develop

to the specific type of strep bacterium that caused their disorder. (Only a

handful of strep types can cause glomerulonephritis, and most cases of the

disorder can be traced to a specific Group A streptococcal strain known as

Type 12.) The incubation period is unknown signs and symptoms may show imediatley.