Acute Glomerulonephritis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Acute Glomerulonephritis?
A nephrologist (a kidney doctor) treats acute glomerulonephritis. A primary care doctor or a pediatrician (a children's doctor) may be the first to spot it and then refer you to kidney care. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is acute glomerulonephritis?
Acute glomerulonephritis is a kidney disease that damages the glomeruli. The glomeruli are the tiny filters in your kidneys, where your blood is cleaned. Damage to the glomeruli causes blood and protein to be lost in the urine. In some cases, the kidneys also have trouble removing waste products from the blood. Symptoms may develop slowly. The disorder may be found during a routine physical when a urine test is abnormal.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of glomerulonephritis are:
- Blood in the urine. Urine may look pink, rust-colored, or cola-colored.
- Foamy urine, caused by extra protein in the urine.
- Swelling (edema) of the face, eyes, ankles, feet, legs, or belly.
- High blood pressure, which may develop or get worse.
- Passing less urine than usual.
Other symptoms can include belly pain, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, and poor appetite.
Causes and who gets it
Glomerulonephritis may be caused by problems with the body's immune system. Often, the exact cause is unknown. Infections can trigger it. These include strep throat, bacterial endocarditis (a heart infection), HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Pain relievers called NSAIDs can also harm the kidneys and play a part.
One form is poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis. It is a kidney condition that occurs after infection with certain strains of strep bacteria. The infection is in the skin or throat, not the kidneys. It may develop 1 to 2 weeks after a throat infection that was not treated. It may also appear 3 to 4 weeks after a skin infection. It most often occurs in children ages 6 through 10.
Other causes include lupus nephritis and IgA nephropathy (Berger's disease). Lupus is a disease in which the immune system attacks the body. In IgA nephropathy, an antibody called IgA builds up in the glomeruli. In anti-GBM (Goodpasture's) disease, antibodies attack the glomeruli. Having a family member with it raises your risk.
How doctors diagnose it
Doctors use several tests. A urine test checks for too much protein and red blood cells. Blood tests show how well the kidneys work. An ultrasound or a CT (computed tomography) scan can show the shape or size of your kidneys. A kidney biopsy can confirm the disease and help find the cause. For a biopsy, a doctor looks at a small piece of kidney under a microscope.
Treatment
Treatment varies by symptoms, causes, and how badly the kidneys are damaged. In some cases, the disease may go away once its cause has been treated. For poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, treatment is focused on relieving symptoms. Antibiotics, such as penicillin, will likely be used to destroy any strep bacteria that remain in the body.
Controlling high blood pressure is usually an important part of treatment. Blood pressure medicines are most often ACE inhibitors or ARBs. They can reduce protein loss and slow kidney damage. Diuretics (water pills) reduce swelling. Medicines that calm the immune system, such as corticosteroids (steroid drugs), can reduce inflammation (swelling inside the kidney). A doctor may ask you to limit salt, fluids, and protein. If the kidneys fail, options include dialysis or a kidney transplant. With hemodialysis, a machine filters your blood outside of your body.
When to see a doctor
Contact a doctor if you develop swelling, foamy urine, or blood in the urine. If you have poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis and your urine output drops or new symptoms appear, contact your doctor right away. In some cases, glomerular disease can cause rapid kidney failure that may lead to confusion and death if not treated immediately. Call 911 or go to the emergency room right away if you have new confusion, a seizure, a sudden change in vision, trouble breathing, or chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. This kind of doctor can order urine and blood tests, watch your blood pressure, and refer you to a nephrologist when you need one. Long-term follow-up can often happen right in the office.
Common questions
Is acute glomerulonephritis dangerous?
It can be. In some cases, glomerular disease can cause rapid kidney failure that may lead to confusion and death if not treated immediately. Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis usually goes away by itself after several weeks to months. In a small number of adults, it may lead to long-term kidney failure.
Can acute glomerulonephritis be prevented?
Some cases may be prevented by avoiding or limiting exposure to organic solvents, mercury, and NSAIDs. Treating known strep infections may help prevent poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis. Washing hands often prevents the spread of the infection.
What is poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis?
It is a kidney condition that occurs after infection with certain strains of strep bacteria. The infection is in the skin or throat, not the kidneys. It most often occurs in children ages 6 through 10.
Will I need dialysis?
Some people do. Less often, glomerular disease may not respond to treatment and lead to kidney failure over time. If that happens, your doctor may suggest dialysis or a kidney transplant. People with this condition should be closely watched for signs of kidney failure.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Glomerulonephritis
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - Glomerular Disease
- MedlinePlus - Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (GN)
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
