Ever wondered if hepatitis can affect kidney health? You know that hepatitis can affect liver function. Viruses causing Hepatitis such as Hepatitis B & C can also affect the kidneys

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 40 million Indians are infected with Hepatitis B & 6-12 million Indians are infected with Hepatitis C.

Did you know that India contributes to 15% of the world’s Hepatitis cases?

According to the WHO, 1 in 3 people in the world are exposed to Hepatitis B or C.

People with Hepatitis are likely to develop kidney issues, and patients on dialysis are likely to develop hepatitis.

Dialysis patients are at higher risk of hepatitis infection as they receive blood transfusions frequently, and at dialysis units there may be common use of needles.

Read on as we uncover the hidden connection between hepatitis and kidney disease. Learn their causes, symptoms and how to get treated if you are diagnosed with any type of hepatitis related kidney disease.

Hepatitis and Kidney Disease Overview

Viruses such as Hepatitis B & C affect the liver and disrupt its functions. If left untreated, it causes harm to other organs and can lead to serious kidney issues.

Hepatitis leads to an overreaction of the immune system, which can lead to kidney inflammation, protein leakage in urine, passage of blood in the urine, and swelling of lower limbs. Long-term effects also include transition to chronic kidney disease.

If you are diagnosed with any kidney disease, Hep-C can make it worse. Hep-C can also affect dialysis and transplant outcomes.

Types of Hepatitis related Kidney Disease

Hepatitis can increase the risk of developing different types of kidney conditions, like:

1. Membranous Nephropathy

This kidney disease is commonly linked with hepatitis B.
Symptoms include:

• Frothy/Foamy urine (protein leakage in the urine)

• Swelling of the legs

• High BP

• Increased risk of CKD

2. Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis

Another type of glomerulonephritis. This disease is associated with Hepatitis C.
This can lead to:

• Blood in urine

• Protein loss

• Compromised kidney function

3. Cryoglobulinemia-Associated Kidney Disease

This disease develops in patients with chronic Hepatitis C infection. This causes inflammation in the kidney filters- glomeruli. In this condition, the proteins in the blood clump together in cold temperatures and block the small vessels.

4. Acute Kidney Injury

With advanced hepatitis infection, there are chances of sudden kidney failure and acute kidney injury. It can occur due to other factors as well:

• Dehydration

• Medication side effects

5. Chronic Kidney Disease

If you're diagnosed with long-term hepatitis infections and leave it untreated, it can lead to constant kidney damage, which may lead to chronic kidney damage. Patients with untreated hepatitis have a higher risk of developing Chronic kidney disease.

Symptoms to watch out for in Hepatitis-related Kidney Disease

You cannot notice any major symptoms in the early stages of hepatitis related kidney diseases. A few signs overlap with symptoms of liver problems.

Here are a few symptoms to look out for:

• Blood in urine

• Frothy/foamy urine

• Constant tiredness

• Weakness

• High BP

• Sudden weight gain/loss

• Changes in urination frequency, urgency, and output

• Swelling in the legs, feet and around the eyes

• Dark coloured urine

Best Hospital for treatment of Hepatitis related Kidney Disease

Treatment of hepatitis related kidney disease depends on the type of kidney damage, the patient's condition and the severity of the disease.

Treating kidney disease affected by hepatitis requires a multi-disciplinary approach. NU Hospitals is known to be the most trusted kidney care hospital in India and Bangalore. We treat all types of kidney disease with care, precision and compassion.

Our expert nephrologists make sure you receive the care that is optimal for your condition and are determined to give you the best treatment.

We treat a wide spectrum of kidney diseases, from acute to complex chronic kidney disease. Your health is in safe hands. 

Why Choose NU Hospitals?

• No. 1 Hospital for Hepatitis Related Kidney Care in India and Bangalore

• Pioneers in Hepatitis Related Kidney Care Treatment

• Legacy of Innovation and Trusted by Millions

• Protocolized Evidence-based Care

• Renowned Team of Experts with a Multi-Disciplinary Approach

• Exceptional Care and World-class Technology

Screening test for Hepatitis related Kidney Disease

If you or your loved one is diagnosed with Hepatitis B or C, regular screening would be necessary to detect kidney diseases related to hepatitis.

A few common tests include:

• Confirmation with ELFA testing

ELFA is considered the one of the most sensitive blood test to detect Hepatitis B and C

• Checking viral load

If confirmed positive on the ELFA report, patients are advised to check for the viral load in the blood

• Urinalysis

To check for blood, protein or abnormal cell presence in the urine. These are the early signs of kidney disease in hepatitis patients.

• Blood tests

To check for kidney functionality and to know how well they are working.

• Serum Creatinine

Higher creatinine levels show that the kidney filtration process is compromised. The test calculates the creatine level in the blood.

• eGFR

This is a kidney function test. Based on the creatinine level, age, and sex. It is crucial in diagnosing chronic kidney disease.

• Liver function tests (LFT)

  To assess the liver functionality. If the liver is damaged, it gives a reason to conduct a kidney function test.

• Ultrasound

  To check the size, shape and structure of the kidneys.

• Imaging scans

  To check the structural damage of the kidney and the nearby organs.

• Kidney Biopsy

If kidney damage is suspected, a biopsy might be advised in rare cases to confirm the type of kidney disease.