In post-infectious glomerulonephritis, when does hematuria typically occur?

In post-infectious glomerulonephritis, hematuria typically occurs about 2 weeks after the initial infection, particularly following infections caused by certain types of bacteria, such as Streptococcus, that lead to this kidney condition. This delayed onset can be attributed to the immune response that develops as a reaction to the infection, which causes inflammation in the glomeruli of the kidneys.

During the initial phase of the infection, while clinical symptoms may be present, significant renal manifestations such as hematuria do not usually appear until the immune system has had time to mount a response, which contributes to glomerular injury. The timeline indicates that about 7 to 14 days post-infection, the patient may develop signs and symptoms, including hematuria, proteinuria, and potentially hypertension or edema, consistent with the diagnosis of post-infectious glomerulonephritis.

Understanding this time frame is crucial for clinicians in diagnosing and managing the condition effectively, as it differentiates post-infectious glomerulonephritis from acute kidney injury occurring simultaneously with the infection or immediately after. Hematuria during or immediately after the infection would not be typical and instead suggests that glomerular injury is a consequence of an immune