Bk Virus Infection

What is a BK virus infection?

• A BK virus (BKV) infection is also called a polyomavirus infection. BKV is an infection that may happen as a primary (first) infection during childhood. The virus may have gone away and you may have never felt sick. The BKV may get into your blood and spread to other body organs. It may stay in your kidneys, brain, and other tissues without causing any harm or sickness. If your immune system becomes weak, the virus may become active and cause harm to your organs. The immune system protects your body from infections and diseases.
  
  
• A BKV infection may cause problems for those who have had a kidney transplant. The virus may damage the kidney, or may make your body reject the new kidney. With rejection, your body's immune system does not recognize (know) the new organ and attacks it. Having your BKV infection found and treated early may stop damage to your organs, such as your kidneys.

What causes a BKV infection?

The infection is caused by a germ called BK virus. You may get the infection from any of the following:

• Body fluids: A BKV infection may be spread by breathing in fluid droplets from someone who has the infection. The fluid droplets may come from a sneeze or cough. You may also get BKV from blood transfusions or through semen (fluid containing sperm).
  
  
• During birth: BKV may be passed on by a mother to her baby during birth.
  
  
• Organ transplant: This is when your damaged organ is replaced by a new organ. You may get the infection if the kidney that you received has the BKV infection.
  
  
• Unclean food and drink: This may include drinking liquids or eating foods that have been infected with BKV.

What increases my risk of having a BKV infection?

• Age: Elderly people may have a higher risk of having the BKV infection.
  
  
• Gender: Males are at higher risk of having BKV.
  
  
• Renal injury: Renal (kidney) injuries may cause the BKV in your body to become active. Examples of injury may be having a stent placed to open your urine passage or renal infections.
  
  
• Weak immune system: Having a weak immune system commonly causes the virus to increase in number and become active. Your immune system becomes weak when you have a long-term illness. This includes illnesses such as AIDS or diabetes (increased sugar in your blood). Taking antirejection medicines after a kidney or bone marrow transplant may also make your immune system weak. Antirejection medicines help your body accept your new organ and keep your body from rejecting it.

What conditions may come with a BKV infection?

A BKV infection may cause any of the following problems:

• Brain: Encephalitis (swelling of the brain).
  
  
• Eyes: Retinitis (swelling of the retina). The retina is the lining at the back of the eye.
  
  
• Lungs: Pneumonitis (swelling of the lungs) or infection.
  
  
• Urinary: Swelling and damage of the kidneys, bleeding of the bladder, and blockage of urine passageways.

What are the signs and symptoms of a BKV infection?

A primary BKV infection may have no symptoms. If your immune system is weak, you may have any of the following:

• Abdominal (stomach) problems.
  
  
• Blurry vision or trouble seeing things.
  
  
• Brown or reddish-colored urine.
  
  
• Burning pain or trouble when passing urine, or passing more urine than usual.
  
  
• Cough, colds or trouble breathing.
  
  
• Fever, muscle pain, or weakness.
  
  
• Seizures (convulsions).

How is a BKV infection diagnosed?

You may need tests that will help your caregiver look for BKV in your body. You may need any of the following:

• Blood tests: You may need blood taken to give caregivers information about how your body is working. The blood may be taken from your hand, arm, or IV.
  
  
• Kidney biopsy: A kidney biopsy is when a very small piece of your kidney is taken out and sent to a lab for tests. For this procedure, you will need to lay face-down and hold very still. You may be given medicine to make the area numb (lose feeling). Your caregiver will put a needle into your back and through to your kidney. The needle may have to be put in two or more times. After the needle is taken out, a bandage will be put to cover the area.
  
  
• Urine sample: For this test you need to urinate into a small container. You will be given instructions on how to clean your genital area before you urinate. Do not touch the inside of the cup. Follow instructions on where to place the cup of urine when you are done.

How is a BKV infection treated?

A mild BKV infection may resolve on its own, even without treatment. If you are receiving antirejection medicines, your caregiver will need to change or decrease them. This will make your immune system strong enough to fight the BKV infection. You may also need any of the following:

• Pain medicine: Caregivers may give you medicine to take away or decrease your pain. Tell your caregiver if your pain does not decrease or go away with the medicine. Do not wait to ask for your pain medicine until the pain is very bad. The medicine may not work as well to help your pain if you wait too long to take it.
  
  
• Other treatments:
  
  
  • Bladder irrigation: Your caregiver may need to put a catheter (tube) into your bladder. This is done to rinse your bladder and help you pass urine.
    
    
  • Hyperhydration: You may need to drink more liquids than usual to help flush (wash out) your bladder. Your caregiver may also give you liquids through an IV. An IV is placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. This tube is capped or connected to tubing and liquid.
    
    
  • Surgery: You may need surgery if the organs or tissues where your urine passes are damaged. Ask your caregiver for more information about this treatment.

When should I call my caregiver?

Call your caregiver if:

• You have a fever, or feel weak and achy.
  
  
• You have trouble passing urine.
  
  
• You have questions about your condition, treatment, or care.

When should I seek immediate help?

Seek care immediately or call 911 if:

• You have very bad pain when passing urine.
  
  
• Your urine has blood in it.
  
  
• Your symptoms get worse and do not go away even after taking medicine.

Where can I find support and more information?

Contact the following for support or more information:

• National Kidney Foundation
  30 East 33rd Street
  New York , NY 10016
  Phone: 1- 212 - 889-2210
  Phone: 1- 800 - 622-9010
  Web Address: http://www.kidney.org
  

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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