Q: My 56 years old father weighs 60 kg. His creatinine level is 4.7 mg/dl and urea is 160 mg/dl. He is undergoing dialysis. He is also having swelling in his feet and right hand. What should be the frequency of dialysis? Why does he shivers while undergoing dialysis?

A:In-center haemodialysis is usually performed thrice weekly (every other day) for most patients. Shivers during dialysis can be a sign of infection. Infections are particularly common in patients who have catheter, as opposed to AV access, as dialysis access. He should have blood cultures drawn during dialysis to rule out infection.