Is nephrotic syndrome contagious?

Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
Updated on September 14, 2024
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So, nephrotic syndrome is a general term for a group of clinical symptoms, a state of disease, and is not essentially an independent disease. Thus, this problem is not infectious. This disease describes the damage to the kidneys due to some reason, leading to the disruption of the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier, resulting in the patient developing a significant amount of urinary protein. The disease itself is not contagious. However, there are very few cases of nephrotic syndrome that might be caused by hepatitis B virus infecting the kidneys. In such cases, the hepatitis B virus may have a certain level of contagiousness, but even so, it does not imply that nephrotic syndrome itself is contagious. In other words, even if such patients transmit hepatitis B to others, it does not necessarily mean those others will exhibit kidney damage.

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Written by Zhu Wei
Nephrology
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What should not be eaten with nephrotic syndrome?

Patients with nephrotic syndrome, if the patient has obvious edema, should limit salt intake to between two to three grams per day. It is suggested to consume foods rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as vegetable oils, as well as foods rich in soluble fiber, such as oats. They should also receive a normal amount of 0.8 to 1 gram of high-quality protein per kilogram of body weight per day, mainly from egg whites, milk, lean meat, and fish. Calorie intake should be sufficient, and patients with nephrotic syndrome should eat less salty and pickled foods and consume less animal fat.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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Nephrotic syndrome urine output

Patients with nephrotic syndrome vary in the amount of urine they produce. Some patients have normal urine output and may not exhibit obvious symptoms of edema, but others may have reduced urine output, which can even lead to acute renal failure. Nephrotic syndrome emphasizes that the glomerular filtration barrier is damaged, resulting in a large amount of urinary protein, with a 24-hour urinary protein quantitative exceeding 3.5 grams. This situation highlights the decreased ability of the filtration barrier to retain proteins in the blood, meaning the integrity of the filtration barrier is compromised. However, the kidney's ability to excrete water and metabolic waste is not indicated by the term "nephrotic syndrome" itself, thus the patient's urine output can vary.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Nephrology
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Kidney disease syndrome is classified as what disease?

Nephrotic syndrome is a clinical subtype of chronic kidney disease. It can be diagnosed when there is significant proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, accompanied by edema and hyperlipidemia. This represents a severe stage in the progression of kidney diseases, generally requiring treatment with steroids and immunosuppressants. Nephrotic syndrome may have complications such as thrombosis, infections, hyperlipidemia, and acute renal failure.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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Precursors of relapse of nephrotic syndrome

Nephrotic syndrome is characterized by patients having 24-hour urinary protein quantification exceeding 3.5g and blood plasma albumin levels lower than 30g/L. This condition can be long-lasting. Some patients, after treatment, can have their condition effectively controlled, but there is still a possibility of relapse. Such relapses often occur after the patient has been overworked or has caught a cold, but there are also some patients who do not have such triggers. When the condition relapses, the urinary protein level increases again, which might lead to an increase in urine foam. Patients might experience significant swelling in the lower limbs and face among other areas, suggesting a relapse of nephrotic syndrome, and it is important to go to the hospital for relevant tests promptly.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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How to treat anemia in nephrotic syndrome?

Patients with nephrotic syndrome often do not suffer from anemia. However, if a patient has severe chronic renal failure, renal anemia may occur. Generally, renal anemia occurs when the patient's blood creatinine level exceeds 256 micromoles/liter. Treatment mainly involves the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents and iron supplements. If the patient does not have obvious renal failure but exhibits anemia, it is important to investigate the cause. This could include gastrointestinal bleeding, the presence of systemic diseases, or even hematological disorders. For example, lupus nephritis can cause both nephrotic syndrome and anemia. In such cases, high-dose steroids and immunosuppressants may be required as a treatment to fundamentally address the issue.