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What Are the Symptoms of BK Virus?

Generally, a person infected with the BK virus does not show any symptoms and may go a lifetime without issue. But, sometimes a person does suffer symptoms and should been seen by a doctor and treated for the virus.

  1. What is BK Virus?

    • BK virus is a common virus that most of us are carriers of, but it remains dormant and asymptomatic for people with healthy immune systems. Generally, only when the immune system is compromised does it cause a problem, in situations such as a serious infection or organ transplant.

    Transplant Problems

    • A BK virus carrier may exhibit problems after a transplant, most commonly a kidney transplant. After the transplant, some symptoms of BK virus that may show up, including narrowed ureters, inflammation of the kidneys and tubules, and problems with kidney function.

    Respiratory Infection and Fever

    • Other common symptoms of BK virus include a mild respiratory infection and a fever. It may feel as though you have the flu, and the virus may go undiagnosed. However, if you have these symptoms in conjunction with urinary-tract issues, it's important to see a doctor right away.

    Diagnosis

    • BK virus can only be diagnosed by a doctor, who will perform a blood test. All kidney-transplant patients are regularly tested for the virus for the first year after their transplants.

    Treatment

    • BK virus can be treated with medications, and with close monitoring and regular testing, further infection can be prevented.

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