What is the hallmark symptom of glomerulonephritis?

The hallmark symptom of glomerulonephritis is edema. This condition involves inflammation of the glomeruli, which are tiny structures in the kidneys responsible for filtering blood. When the glomeruli are damaged, they cannot effectively filter waste and excess fluids, leading to a buildup of fluid in the body. This fluid retention is typically most noticeable in the form of swelling or edema, which can occur in various parts of the body, particularly the legs, ankles, and around the eyes.

While other symptoms, such as fever, weight loss, and skin rash, may occur in some cases of glomerulonephritis, they do not serve as the key indicator of the disease. Fever might indicate an infectious process, weight loss can be a sign of chronic illness, and skin rashes may suggest a variety of conditions unrelated to kidney function. Therefore, edema stands out as the most characteristic and defining symptom of glomerulonephritis, making it central to the clinical assessment of patients presenting with this condition.