Poststreptococcal Glomerulonephritis

Alternate Names : PSGN

What can be done to prevent the disease?

The only known way to prevent PSGN is to avoid strep infections. This is very difficult to do. Treating the infection with antibiotics clears up the infection but does not appear to reduce the risk of PSGN.

What are the long-term effects of the disease?

Most people with PSGN, especially children, recover within a few weeks and have no long-term effects. However, some people develop permanent kidney damage and even kidney failure. Those with kidney failure need dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive. Dialysis is a procedure to filter the blood when the kidneys no longer work. Usually this must continue for the rest of the person's life or until a kidney transplant can be done.

What are the risks to others?

Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis is not contagious. However, the strep infection that causes this condition is contagious. Those who catch the infection may or may not develop PSGN.