Description

A kidney infection is a type of urinary tract infection (UTI). A kidney infection may start in the tube that carries urine out of the body (urethra) or bladder. The infection can travel to one or both kidneys. A kidney infection, also called pyelonephritis.

A kidney infection requires prompt medical treatment. If not treated properly, the infection can cause permanent damage to the kidneys. Or the bacteria can spread to the blood and cause a dangerous infection.

Kidney infection treatment often includes antibiotics, which could be done at the hospital.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a kidney infection may include:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • A burning sensation or pain when urinating.
  • Having to urinate often
  • A strong, long-lasting urge to urinate
  • Back, side or groin pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Pus or blood in the urine
  • Urine that smells bad or is cloudy
  • Belly pain

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of a kidney infection. Also consult with your health care provider if you are being treated for a urinary tract infection, but their symptoms do not improve.

A serious infection of the kidneys can lead to dangerous complications. They can include blood poisoning, damage to the tissues of the body or death. Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of a kidney infection and blood in the urine, or nausea and vomiting.

Causes

Bacteria that enter the urinary tract through the urethra can multiply and travel to the kidneys. This is the most common cause of infections of the kidneys.

Bacteria from an infection in another part of the body can also spread through the bloodstream to the kidneys. In rare cases, an artificial joint or heart valve that becomes infected it can cause an infection in the kidneys.

In rare cases, a kidney infection that occurs after surgery of the kidney.

Risk factors

The factors that increase the risk of a kidney infection include:

  • The fact of being a woman.The urethra is shorter in women than in men. That makes it easier for bacteria to travel from the outside of the body to the bladder. The urethra is close to the vagina and the anus also makes it more easy for bacteria to enter the bladder. Once in the bladder, an infection can spread to the kidneys. Pregnant women are at an increased risk of a kidney infection.
  • Have a blockage in the urinary tract. Anything that slows the flow of urine or makes it more difficult to empty the bladder completely can increase the risk of a kidney infection. This includes a stone in the kidney, a narrowing of the urethra, or an enlargement of the prostate gland.
  • Having a weakened immune system. Medical conditions such as diabetes and HIV can weaken the immune system. Certain medications can also reduce immunity. These include drugs that are taken after an organ transplant to prevent rejection.
  • Have damage to the nerves around the bladder. Nerve or spinal cord damage can block the feeling of a bladder infection. Which can make it difficult to know when an infection travels to a kidney.
  • The use of a urinary catheter. Urinary catheters are tubes used to drain urine from the bladder. The catheters are sometimes used after a surgical procedure or a diagnostic test. It is also used in people who are confined to bed.
  • Have a condition that causes urine to flow the wrong way. In vesicoureteral reflux, small amounts of urine flow from the bladder back into the tubes that connect the bladder and kidneys. People with this disease have an increased risk of kidney infections when they are children and when they become adults.

The fact of being a woman. The urethra is shorter in women than in men. That makes it easier for bacteria to travel from the outside of the body to the bladder. The urethra is close to the vagina and the anus also makes it more easy for bacteria to enter the bladder.

Once in the bladder, an infection can spread to the kidneys. Pregnant women are at an increased risk of a kidney infection.

Complications

If left untreated, a kidney infection can cause potentially serious complications, such as:

  • Kidney scars. This can lead to chronic kidney disease, arterial hypertension, and renal failure.
  • Blood poisoning. The kidneys filter waste from the blood and return the filtering of the blood to the rest of the body. A kidney infection can cause bacteria to spread through the bloodstream.
  • Complications in pregnancy. A kidney infection that occurs during pregnancy may increase the risk of having a baby with low birth weight.

Prevention

To reduce the risk of infection of the kidneys by taking steps to prevent urinary tract infections. In particular, women can reduce the risk of urinary tract infections if:

  • Drink liquids, especially water. Fluids can help remove bacteria from the body during urination.
  • Urinate as soon as you need to. Do not delay urinate when you feel the need.
  • Empty your bladder after intercourse. Urinate as soon as possible after intercourse helps to clear bacteria from the urethra. This reduces the risk of infection.
  • Clean carefully. Wipe from front to back after urinating and after a bowel movement. This helps to prevent the bacteria from spreading to the urethra.
  • Avoid the use of products in the genital area. Deodorant spray in the area of the genitals or douching can be irritating.

Diagnosis

To check the infection of the kidneys, you may be asked to provide a urine sample to test for bacteria, blood or pus in the urine. Your health care provider may also take a blood sample to a culture. A culture is a laboratory test that checks for the presence of bacteria or other microorganisms in the blood.

Other tests may include an ultrasound, a ct scan or a type of X-ray called a voiding cystourethrogram. A voiding cystourethrogram is to inject a contrast dye to take X-rays of the bladder when it is full, and when you urinate.

Treatment

Antibiotics for kidney infections

Antibiotics are the first-line treatment for kidney infections. The drugs used and the duration of treatment will depend on your health and the bacteria found in your urine test.

The symptoms of a kidney infection often begin to disappear within a few days of treatment. But you may need to continue antibiotics for a week or more. Take the full course of antibiotics, even if you begin to feel better.

Your doctor may want you to have a repeat urine culture test to make sure the infection has gone. If the infection is still present, you will have to take a course of antibiotics.

Hospitalization for severe cases of kidney infections

If your kidney infection is severe, it may be necessary to go to the hospital. Treatment may include antibiotics and fluids through a vein in your arm. How long are you going to stay in the hospital depends on the severity of your infection.

The treatment of the recurrence of infections of the kidneys

An underlying health problem such as a deformed urinary tract can cause you to have repeated infections of kidney. In that case, you may be referred to a kidney specialist (nephrologist) or urinary surgeon (urologist). You may need surgery to repair a structural problem.

Lifestyle and home remedies

To help you to feel better while recovering from a kidney infection, you can:

  • Apply heat. Place a heating pad on the abdomen, back, or side to relieve the pain.
  • The use of medication for the pain. For fever or discomfort, take a pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). If you have chronic kidney disease, it is best to avoid or limit the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Nsaids) such as ibuprofen (Motrin IB, Advil, others).
  • Stay hydrated. Drinking fluids will help to flush bacteria from the urinary tract. Avoid coffee and alcohol, until the infection has disappeared. That can worsen the feeling of needing to urinate.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely to start by seeing your provider of the family, or a general practitioner. If your doctor suspects that an infection has spread to the kidneys, you may need to see a specialist who treats diseases that affect the urinary tract (urologist).

What you can do

When you make the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet to certain tests.

Take note of the following:

  • Your symptoms, including any that seem unrelated to your condition. Also note when they started.
  • Key personal information, including recent changes in life, such as a new sexual partner, and your medical history.
  • All the drugs, vitamins, and other supplements you are taking, including dosage.
  • Questions to ask your provider.

Have a friend or family member, if possible, to help you remember everything that you talk with your provider.

For infection of the kidneys, questions to ask your health care provider include:

  • What is the likely cause of my kidney infection?
  • What tests do I need?
  • What treatment do you think I need?
  • There will be side effects of treatment?
  • I need to go to a hospital to receive treatment?
  • How can I prevent future kidney infections?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I manage together?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What websites do you suggest?

Be sure to ask any questions that occur during your time with your doctor.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care provider is likely to ask you questions, such as:

  • The symptoms been in progress, or on-and-off?
  • How bad are the symptoms?
  • Does anything seem to make you feel better?
  • What things seem to worsen your symptoms?
Symptoms and treatment Kidney infection