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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffSigns and symptoms of Wegener's granulomatosis may develop suddenly or gradually.
The first Wegener's granulomatosis symptoms usually involve your respiratory tract. However, the condition often worsens rapidly, affecting blood vessels and the organs they supply, such as the kidneys. Signs and symptoms may include:
- Constantly runny nose, with pus-filled discharge
- Nosebleeds
- Sinus pain and inflammation (sinusitis)
- Hoarse voice
- Inflammation of the gums
- Ear infections
- Cough
- Chest pain
- Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- General ill feeling (malaise)
- Unintended weight loss
- Joint aches and swelling
- Blood in urine (hematuria)
- Skin sores
- Eye redness, burning or pain
- Double or decreased vision
- Fever
- Weakness and fatigue, possibly associated with low red blood cell count (anemia)
For some people, the disease is limited to the respiratory tract and doesn't involve the kidneys. Kidney involvement usually doesn't cause symptoms early in the course of the disease, and may be detected only by blood and urine tests. However, in time kidney failure, with its associated anemia, often occurs.
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you have a persistently runny nose that doesn't respond to over-the-counter (OTC) cold medicines, especially if it's accompanied by nosebleeds and pus-like material, coughing up blood, or other possible signs and symptoms of Wegener's granulomatosis. Because this disease can progress quickly, early diagnosis is critical to receiving effective treatment.
- Wegener's granulomatosis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec04/ch033/ch033k.html#sec04-ch033-ch033k-362. Accessed July 26, 2010.
- Wegener's granulomatosis. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/wegeners/Pages/Default.aspx. Accessed July 26, 2010.
- Hellmann DB, et al. Musculoskeletal and immunologic disorders. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment 2010. 49th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=10083. Accessed July 30, 2010.
- Langford CA, et al. The vasculitis syndromes. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2859426. Accessed July 30, 2010.
- King TE, et al. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis and microscopic polyangiitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 26, 2010.
- Stone JH, et al. Rituximab versus cyclophosphamide for ANCA-associated vasculitis. New England Journal of Medicine. 2010;363:221.
- Turnball J, et al. Adverse effects of therapy for ANCA-associated vasculitis. Best Practice and Research Clinical Rheumatology. 2009;23:391.
- Rosenow E (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 3, 2010.
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