Yesterday I met a high school classmate who had not been contacted for a long time. When hearing that I work in the department of nephrology, she told a story that happened 10 years ago.

When he was in high school, she often had a backache. But her parents usually thought it was nothing serious.

This condition persisted about 2 years. When she graduated, she could not bear it any more so she went to see her aunty, who is a doctor. After a test, report showed that her urine protein was 3+. Because of long-term urinary tract infection, it had turned into chronic nephritis.

Though 10 years have passed, her disease still relapses sometimes.

In fact, nephritis is very common. Though she was born in a medical family, her condition was not attached importance. And actually there are many other similar families. For example, I have treated a uremic patient, who had UTIs as well in childhood. Eventually it turned into CKD and uremia.

It turns out that no matter where you are from and how much knowledge you have, there is always a time that you neglect your illness.

Therefore, today I want to discuss about infections with you. How to prevent infections from damaging your kidneys?

The most common infections among kidney patients are three types.

1. UTIs

2. Respiratory tract infection.

3. Digestive tract infection.

First of all, let’s see UTIs.

It is characterized by frequent urination, urgent urination, back pain, which may also be accompanied with high fever or headache. Without treatment, it is likely to make your kidney condition worse.

This type of infection usually presents among female patients, especially little girls, who are usually neglected by their parents.

Besides anti-infective treatment, exercises, hygiene and other common sense, I want to give you 2 suggestions.

1. Studies have shown that cranberry juice can effectively prevent urinary tract infections. If you have a history of UTIs, you can drink some cranberry juice.

2. If your UTIs are associated with sexual life, you had better drink at least one glass of water after it, which can help you urinate.

Secondly, Respiratory tract infection.

The most common infection is respiratory tract infection, which is also known as cold. Nephritis usually occurs after getting a cold, so chronic nephritis has another name: sequelae of cold.

If it is common cold caused by non-influenza viruses such as rhinoviruses, symptoms are usually mild and self-healing, so there is no need for treatment. If the symptoms are obvious, small doses of antipyretic analgesic drugs can be used. If it is influenza caused by influenza virus, antiviral drugs can be used.

Once a docld has occurred, whether the kidneys are damaged or not, it is not going to change, so you should focus on prevention.

1. If your immunity is poor, you can use immunomodulators, such as propofol and levamisole appropriately. When immunity gets improved, it can effectively prevent colds.

2. Unless there is a taboo, it is recommended all adult renal patients including kidney failure and uremic patients to inject influenza vaccination and pneumococcal vaccine. They can minimize the risk of catching a cold.

Lastly, digestive tract infection.

The mainly symptom of digestive tract infection is infectious diarrhea, such as bacterial dysentery, bacterial food poisoning, gastroenteritis, typhoid and paratyphoid, biliary tract, pancreas and abdominal infection, etc. such infections can be caused not only by bacteria, fungi and viruses, but also by parasites.

To prevent digestive tract infections, you should cook the food thoroughly. Before eating, boil the dishes for 2 minutes, which can help eliminate the pernicious influence.

1. Quinolone antibiotics are commonly used in bacterial digestive tract infections.

2. If digestive tract infections are caused by virus or parasite, symptomatic treatment is ok. But pay attention to correct the loss of water and electrolytes.

3. If it is infection caused by fungus, active antimicrobial therapy is required.

When you control the 3 infections in kidney disease, you can reduce the risk of kidney failure greatly. For more information on kidney disease, please leave a message below or contact online doctor.