Overview
Kidney infection (pyelonephritis) is a form of urinary tract infection (UTI) that typically originates in the urethra or bladder and spreads to one or both kidneys.
A kidney infection demands immediate medical care. In the absence of effective treatment, a kidney infection can permanently damage the kidneys or travel to the bloodstream to produce a life-threatening illness.
Treatment for a kidney infection, which often involves antibiotics, may necessitate hospitalization.
Symptoms
Examples of symptoms or indicators include:
- Frequent, painful urination
- Pain in the back, sides (under the ribcage), and groin
- Chills and high temperature
- Nausea and nausea
Extremely young children (less than 2 years old) may experience merely a high fever. They may not have pain or urination difficulties. Also, elderly persons may not exhibit usual symptoms. They may instead exhibit signs of perplexity, such as garbled speech or images.
This infection is potentially fatal. If you suspect you have a kidney infection, you should get medical attention as soon as possible.
Causes
The infection typically begins as a urinary tract infection in the lower urinary tract (UTI). Through the urethra, bacteria enter the body and begin to grow and spread to the bladder. The bacteria then proceed to the kidneys via the ureters.
Typically, bacteria such as E. coli cause the infection. However, any significant bloodstream infection can move to the kidneys and result in acute pyelonephritis.
Risk factors
Anyone is susceptible to developing a kidney infection. However, just as women get more urinary tract infections than men, they also experience more kidney infections.
A woman’s urethra is shorter and closer to her vagina and anus than a man’s. Therefore, it is easier for bacteria or viruses to enter a woman’s urethra, and their journey to the bladder is shorter. The infection can then move to the kidneys.
Even more pregnant women are susceptible to bladder infections. This is due to hormone changes and the fact that a baby exerts pressure on the mother’s bladder and ureters, hence reducing urine flow.
Any condition in the urinary tract that impedes urine flow increases the likelihood of a kidney infection, including:
- An obstruction of the urinary tract, such as a kidney stone or an enlarged prostate
- Conditions that prevent the bladder from emptying entirely
- A structural issue with your urinary tract, such as a constricted urethra
- Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), which is the backward flow of urine from the bladder to the kidneys
Additionally, you’re more prone to get an infection if you have:
- Nerve damage in your bladder
- An infection of the prostate, known as prostatitis
- A urinary catheter, which is a tube that enters the bladder through the urethra to drain urine
- A compromised immune system, such as in type 2 diabetes
When to see a doctor
- Consult a doctor if you have a fever and persistent abdominal, lower back, or vaginal pain.
- Additionally, you should contact a doctor if your UTI symptoms have not resolved after a few days or if you have blood in your urine.
- Immediately consult a physician if you suspect that your child has a kidney infection.
- If you cannot get a doctor’s appointment and require immediate medical assistance, visit the nearest urgent care center (UCC).
- If there is no UCC nearby, proceed to the nearest A&E.
Diagnosis
If your doctor suspects you have a kidney infection, he or she will inquire about your other medical conditions, previous infections, and current symptoms. He or she will examine your vital signs (temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure) and examine your belly and flanks for soreness around the kidney. In women, pyelonephritis symptoms may resemble those of some sexually transmitted diseases; therefore, your doctor may request a pelvic check.
To diagnose pyelonephritis, your physician will perform urine tests to detect the presence of white blood cells and a culture to identify the type of bacteria causing the infection. Typically, a physician will also prescribe blood testing. Similar to urine, blood is also cultured. Pyelonephritis patients may have germs in both their blood and urine. Antibiotics are administered prior to the results of the culture, and will be modified after the bacterial species is determined 24 to 48 hours later.
Treatment
A person suspected of having a kidney infection will have their urine tested. Antibiotics are the standard course of treatment for a kidney infection, while some patients require alternative therapies.
Antibiotics
If a patient’s symptoms indicate an infection, a healthcare expert will prescribe antibiotics from Trusted Source prior to the delivery of test results. Pain treatment may also be used.
When taking antibiotics, the entire course of treatment must be taken. When test results are received, a medical expert may switch to a more effective antibiotic to treat the illness.
Varieties of antibiotics
Antibiotics are recommended based on the patient’s medical history and the nature of the infection. Some individuals may be sensitive to specific antibiotics. Generally, the initial treatment consists of a broad-spectrum antibiotic, with harsher medications available if the initial treatment fails. The following antibiotics are used to treat a kidney infection:
- Nitrofurantoin
- Trimethoprim
- Fosfomycin
- Pivmecillinam hydrochloride
- Amoxicillin
- Cephalexin
- Ciprofloxacin
- Cefuroxime
- Co-amoxiclav
Fluids
A kidney infection patient should drink enough of fluids to prevent fever and dehydration. Recommendations for fluid consumption may vary based on the type of infection.
Hospital therapy
A person whose symptoms do not improve or whose symptoms worsen may necessitate hospitalization. Antibiotics could be delivered intravenously through a vein in the arm.
A drip may be used to give fluids to a person suffering from dehydration. The majority of hospitalizations last between 3 and 7 days.
Complications
Untreated kidney infection can result in potentially severe consequences, including:
Renal scarring This may result in chronic renal disease, hypertension, and kidney failure.
Blood poisoning (septicemia). Your kidneys remove impurities from your blood and restore it to the rest of your body. A kidney infection can result in the spread of bacteria throughout the circulation.
Obstetric problems. Women who acquire a kidney infection during pregnancy may be more likely to deliver infants with a low birth weight.
Prevention
Pyelonephritis is a potentially severe disorder. Immediately consult your physician if you feel you have pyelonephritis or a UTI. This disease necessitates immediate medical care, therefore the sooner you begin therapy, the better.
Prognosis
Pyelonephritis is a potentially severe disorder. Immediately consult your physician if you feel you have pyelonephritis or a UTI. This disease necessitates immediate medical care, therefore the sooner you begin therapy, the better.
