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Nephritis

Nephritis occurs when parts of the kidney become inflamed (swollen). This swelling prevents the kidneys from working properly to filter waste from the blood. Nephritis can be caused by infection, autoimmune or inflammatory conditions such as lupus, genetic disorders, or other conditions.

The experts at UPMC specialize in treating all types of kidney disease, including nephritis. Our team will find the cause of your nephritis and develop a treatment plan to manage your symptoms and reduce your risk of complications.

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What Is Nephritis?

Nephritis occurs when parts of your kidney become inflamed (swollen). This swelling prevents the kidney from working properly to filter waste from the blood. Nephritis can be caused by infection, autoimmune or inflammatory conditions such as lupus, genetic disorders, or other conditions.

What are the types of nephritis? 

Nephritis that happens suddenly and lasts for a short time is called acute nephritis. Nephritis that occurs slowly, is long-lasting, and gets worse over time is called chronic nephritis. Acute nephritis is more common than chronic nephritis.

There are several types of acute nephritis, including:

  • Glomerulonephritis — Occurs when the part of your kidneys that filters waste and fluids from your blood — called the glomeruli — are damaged.
  • Interstitial nephritis — Occurs when the spaces between your kidney tubules, which control how your kidney reabsorbs important substances and gets rid of waste, become swollen.
  • Pyelonephritis — Occurs when a bladder infection travels to your kidneys. Bacteria usually cause pyelonephritis.

Glomerulonephritis and interstitial nephritis can also be chronic. Another type of chronic nephritis is lupus nephritis, which occurs when an autoimmune condition called lupus causes the immune system to attack the kidneys.

What causes nephritis?

Nephritis can be caused by:

  • Allergic reaction to a medication.
  • Autoimmune disorders, such as lupus.
  • Bacterial infection, usually starting in the bladder.
  • High calcium or uric acid levels in your blood.
  • Kidney stones.
  • Long-term use of certain medications.
  • Low potassium levels in your blood.
  • Medication side effects.
  • Surgery on your urinary tract.

What are nephritis risk factors and complications?

Nephritis risk factors

You may be at increased risk of developing nephritis if you have:

  • Had a recent urinary tract surgery.
  • Have a bladder infection or a personal history of recurrent bladder infections.
  • Have a family or personal history of kidney disease.
  • Have an autoimmune condition, such as lupus.
  • Take high doses of antibiotics or over-the-counter pain medications — especially if you have taken them for a long time.

Complications of nephritis

Nephritis can cause problems with kidney function, causing waste to build up in the body. This build-up can lead to metabolic acidosis, which happens when acid levels in the body are too high.

If left undiagnosed or untreated for a long time, or if symptoms are severe, nephritis can cause permanent damage that eventually leads to kidney failure.

How can I prevent nephritis? 

Depending on the cause, you may not be able to prevent nephritis. However, you can talk to your doctor about the medications you take and how you can manage your nephritis risk.

If you have recurrent bladder infections or had recent urinary tract surgery, you should also talk to your doctor about managing your risk for nephritis.

How common is nephritis?

Nephritis isn’t very common in the general population, but it is more common among people with kidney disease.

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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Nephritis?

One of the most common symptoms of nephritis is urinating less than usual.

Other symptoms may include:

  • Blood in your urine.
  • Cloudy urine.
  • Drowsiness or confusion.
  • Fever.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Nausea.
  • Pain in your abdomen, pelvis, or kidney area.
  • Pain or burning when urinating.
  • Rash.
  • Swelling, often in your hands or feet.
  • Vomiting.
  • Weight gain due to excess fluid in your body.

When should I see a doctor about my nephritis symptoms?

If left untreated, nephritis can lead to serious health problems. If you are experiencing symptoms of nephritis, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor right away.

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How Do You Diagnose Nephritis?

Some nephritis cases do not cause noticeable symptoms and are diagnosed during routine physical exams or by testing for other conditions. If you have symptoms, your doctor will perform a physical exam, talk to you about your health history, and order blood and urine tests to diagnose nephritis.

What to expect during your visit

During your visit, your doctor will:

  • Ask about any medications you’re taking.
  • Order blood or urine tests.
  • Perform a physical exam.
  • Review your health history.

Tests to diagnose nephritis

Your doctor may order blood, urine, or other tests to check for signs of nephritis.

Blood tests include:

Urine tests include:

  • Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) — Looks for high levels of a protein called albumin in your urine.
  • Urine output — Tracks how much urine your body produces each day.
  • Urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (uPCR) — Looks for high levels of all types of protein in your urine, not just albumin.

Other tests include:

  • CT scan — A test that creates images of your body's organs, bones, and tissues.
  • Kidney biopsy — A procedure that involves taking small pieces of kidney tissue for examination under a microscope to check for signs of disease. This test is used to confirm a nephritis diagnosis.
  • Ultrasound — Uses sound waves to create images of your organs to check for problems.

Nephritis prognosis

Many nephritis cases are short-term and get better after treating the underlying cause. However, some cases are severe and long-lasting, which could cause permanent kidney damage or kidney failure.

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How Do You Treat Nephritis?

The goal of nephritis treatment is to prevent the condition from getting worse and causing permanent kidney damage. Your treatment will depend on the cause of your nephritis and the type and severity of your symptoms.

Treatment may include:

Dietary changes

Dietary changes alone may not be enough to treat nephritis, but reducing the amount of salt, fluid, and protein you consume may help your kidneys function better. Your doctor may refer you to a registered dietitian, who will recommend dietary changes to support kidney health.

Medicine to treat nephritis

Depending on the cause of your nephritis, your doctor may prescribe medication to:

  • Manage blood pressure.
  • Reduce inflammation.
  • Suppress your immune system.
  • Treat an infection that is causing your condition.

If medications are causing your nephritis, your doctor may switch you to another medication or adjust your dose.

Dialysis for nephritis

If your nephritis causes your kidneys to stop working properly, your doctor may recommend dialysis. Most people only need dialysis briefly while their kidney function recovers. However, people who experience kidney failure may need long-term dialysis or, eventually, a kidney transplant.

What happens during dialysis?

During dialysis, a machine cleans waste from your blood and helps control your blood pressure.

There are two common types of dialysis:

  • Hemodialysis — Performed using a machine at a dialysis clinic or home three times a week for about four hours.
  • Peritoneal dialysis — Performed through a catheter in your abdomen at home.

How effective is dialysis for nephritis?

If you have kidney failure, dialysis is a lifesaving treatment option. Without it, toxins and fluid would build up in your body and cause death within days or weeks.

However, for most people, dialysis is only a short-term treatment. In time, you may need a kidney transplant.

Why choose UPMC for nephritis care?

When you choose UPMC for nephritis care, you will receive:

  • Access to world-class nephrology expertise — Our world-renowned experts treat the full spectrum of kidney diseases using the latest diagnostic and treatment techniques.
  • A full range of treatment options — We'll work with you to develop a treatment plan that slows the progression of your disease as much as possible and improves your quality of life.
  • Multidisciplinary care — If you need advanced kidney treatment, we partner with special dialysis clinics, experts in supportive care, and kidney transplant surgeons.

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By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-04-24.