Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis is kidney inflammation that follows a strep throat or skin infection by about 1 to 3 weeks, caused by immune complexes trapped in the glomeruli. It is most common in school-age children and usually recovers fully with supportive care.
Key symptoms
- Cola or tea-colored urine
- Puffy eyes and face, especially in the morning
- Less urine than usual
- Headache from high blood pressure
What you find on exam
- Blood pressure, often raised
- Edema of the face and legs, weight gain
- Signs of fluid overload: crackles, raised jugular venous pressure
- Recent sore throat or healing skin sores
Tests
- Urinalysis: blood, red cell casts and some protein
- Low C3 complement that returns to normal in 6 to 8 weeks
- Antistreptolysin O or anti-DNase B titers
- Creatinine, electrolytes, and kidney ultrasound if needed
Treatment basics
- Limit salt and fluid; daily weights and intake and output
- Loop diuretic such as furosemide for edema and blood pressure
- Antihypertensives such as amlodipine if pressure stays high
- Antibiotics such as penicillin only if strep infection is still present
- Dialysis rarely, for severe kidney failure or high potassium
Red flags
- Severe headache, seizure or vision changes from high blood pressure
- Very little or no urine
- Breathlessness from fluid in the lungs
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Sources: NCCPA PANCE Content Blueprint; NBOME COMLEX-USA clinical presentations; NCSBN 2026 NCLEX-RN Test Plan. Written by Making Synapses. Making Synapses is not affiliated with these organizations.