BK Virus Infection - Medtick
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BK Virus Infection

What is it?

BK virus is a virus that most people get in childhood and symptoms appear like a common cold, once they have it lies dormant ‘asleep’ until a trigger appears to ‘wake up’ the virus.

  • A healthy immune system has normally no issues with the BK virus infection however if one has a weak immune system then symptoms may appear.
  • If this virus is left untreated it could damage the kidneys further particularly during a kidney transplant and other organ transplants.

Cause

  • Spread if you have contact with infected blood or body fluids, such as saliva (spit)
  • Spread from mother to infant during birth
  • One has a weak immune system

Treatments

  • Triggers include an organ transplant particularly kidney transplant

Medication

  • Anti- rejection medication used in organ transplants

Symptoms

  • Changes in vision (blurred vision)?
  • Changes in the color of your urine (urine that is brown or red in color)?
  • Pain when you urinate?
  • Difficulty urinating?
  • Needing to urinate more than is normal for you?
  • Flu- like symptoms?
  • Short of breath and/or breathing difficulties?
  • Dry cough longer than three weeks?
  • High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72 hours?
  • Aching, painful muscles, muscle cramps/spasms/stiffness?
  • General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

  • Seizures

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: BK Virus Infection in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

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