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 Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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Does nephrotic syndrome cause itchy skin?

Nephrotic syndrome generally does not cause itchy skin in patients. In patients with nephrotic syndrome, the glomerular filtration barrier is severely damaged, leading to a significant presence of urinary protein and edema, but itchy skin is a rare clinical symptom. If a patient experiences itchy skin, it is recommended to visit the dermatology department of a standard hospital. As such patients may have a disordered immune system, they are prone to various skin issues, such as allergic dermatitis and eczema, which might cause symptoms of itchy skin. However, these are not directly related to nephrotic syndrome.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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Is nephrotic syndrome contagious?

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 Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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Is nephrotic syndrome hereditary?

Nephrotic syndrome is generally not hereditary. It refers to a group of clinical symptoms and manifestations. The fundamental issue in patients is the damage to the glomerular capillaries, which leads to significant proteinuria, subsequently causing edema, hyperlipidemia, and hypoalbuminemia in the plasma. The causes of this disease are classified into primary and secondary types. Primary nephrotic syndrome is related to immune system dysfunction and may involve multiple genes; therefore, the disease is not considered a clear hereditary disease, but the likelihood of offspring developing renal issues may be higher than in the general population. Secondary nephrotic syndrome is mostly related to factors such as hepatitis B infection, allergies, diabetes, etc., and these diseases are not hereditary either.

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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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Causes of vomiting in nephrotic syndrome

Patients with nephrotic syndrome may experience vomiting for several possible reasons. First, nephrotic syndrome causes severe edema in patients, including edema of the gastrointestinal tract. This state of edema may lead to reduced gastrointestinal motility and symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Furthermore, patients with nephrotic syndrome have low plasma protein levels and poor immune function, making them prone to infections. If there is an infection in the gastrointestinal tract, patients may exhibit clinical symptoms of vomiting as well as potentially experiencing diarrhea, abdominal pain, and so on. Additionally, some patients experience vomiting due to the side effects of medications used during the treatment of nephrotic syndrome.