Is IgA nephropathy sexually transmitted?

Written by Zhou Qi

Nephrology

Updated on September 04, 2024

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IgA nephropathy, a type of chronic glomerulonephritis, does not transmit through sexual intercourse. This condition involves a sterile inflammatory response within the glomeruli of the kidneys, not caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Instead, it results from an immune dysfunction, causing inflammation in the glomeruli without any infectious agents. Therefore, IgA nephropathy is not contagious, and sexual intercourse does not pose a risk of transmitting the condition to a sexual partner. As such, patients with IgA nephropathy can engage in sexual activities if their physical condition permits.

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Written by Li Liu Sheng

Nephrology

1min 3sec

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How is IgA nephropathy caused?

IgA nephropathy is a common glomerular disease and a major cause of uremia. However, the exact cause of IgA nephropathy is not very clear. Current research suggests that it is caused by factors such as infections which stimulate the production of autoantibodies, forming immune complexes that deposit in the glomeruli. This leads to inflammation of the glomeruli, eventually stimulating mesangial cell proliferation and accumulation of extracellular matrix, causing glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis. IgA nephropathy is a very covert disease, often presenting as asymptomatic hematuria or increased urine protein. Many patients discover this condition incidentally during physical examinations. Some individuals have a history of upper respiratory or gastrointestinal infections before the onset of the disease, followed by the discovery of gross hematuria. IgA nephropathy is more common in children and adolescents.

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Written by Zhou Qi

Nephrology

44sec

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How to maintain health with IgA nephropathy normally?

This is a pathological type of chronic glomerulonephritis, which is a diagnostic term in immunopathology and essentially represents chronic glomerulonephritis. The severity of this disease can vary, as can its clinical manifestations. Patients should avoid catching colds in their daily life by staying warm and not seeking cool environments. It is important to maintain a distance from people who are already sick to avoid close contact. In terms of diet, patients should eat low-salt, low-fat, and high-quality low-protein foods, and control their salt intake, but not completely avoid salt. Also, they should avoid eating too much greasy and fatty food.

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Written by Zhou Qi

Nephrology

55sec

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Why doesn't IgA nephropathy cause swelling?

IgA nephropathy refers to the abnormal deposition of IgA immunoglobulin in the glomeruli of patients, which causes an inflammatory response and damages the glomerular capillaries. The extent of this damage varies, so not all patients will experience swelling. If the condition is severe, causing significant proteinuria, patients may develop hypoproteinemia and consequent decrease in plasma colloidal osmotic pressure, leading to swelling. If renal failure has occurred, the kidneys' ability to excrete water decreases, which can also cause swelling. Some patients may experience swelling due to damage to the renal tubules, which increases the reabsorption capacity for water. Otherwise, patients may not show obvious swelling, such as those with only mild proteinuria and hematuria, whose clinical symptoms are not pronounced.

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Written by Zhou Qi

Nephrology

48sec

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The characteristics of proteinuria in IgA nephropathy

IgA nephropathy is a pathological type of chronic glomerulonephritis, which can cause patients to exhibit symptoms such as proteinuria and hematuria. Regarding the characteristics of proteinuria, it is generally primarily glomerular proteinuria. In the classification of patients' proteinuria, glomerular proteinuria accounts for a large proportion. If IgA nephropathy presents as chronic nephritis or nephrotic syndrome, the patient's level of proteinuria will be quite severe, with significant amounts of proteinuria, where the 24-hour urinary protein quantification may exceed 1g or even reach more than 3.5g. However, not all patients with IgA nephropathy have such high levels of proteinuria; some may only have mild proteinuria.

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Written by Niu Yan Lin

Nephrology

54sec

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Can patients with IgA nephropathy eat peaches?

Patients with IgA nephropathy vary greatly in the severity of their condition, and whether they can eat peaches depends on their individual disease state. If a patient does not have increased creatinine levels and no edema, they can eat peaches like a normal person without any restrictions on quantity. If the patient has increased creatinine levels, they need to control the amount of peaches they consume. This is because, in patients with elevated creatinine, the glomerular filtration rate is decreased, and a decrease in glomerular filtration rate can lead to an inability to expel excess potassium ions from the body. Peaches are a fruit with a high potassium content, and if such patients consume too many peaches, it can lead to hyperkalemia. Mild cases may experience weakness and numbness in the limbs, while severe cases can lead to potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias.