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Kidney Infections
Overview:
Kidney infection (pyelonephritis) is a specific type of urinary tract infection (UTI) that generally begins in your urethra or bladder and travels up into your kidneys. If not treated properly, kidney infection can permanently damage your kidneys or spread to your bloodstream and cause a life-threatening infection. Prompt medical attention is required.
Signs and Symptoms:
Kidney infection may cause one or more of these signs and symptoms:
* Frequent urination
* Strong, persistent urge to urinate
* Burning sensation or pain when urinating
* Abdominal pain or pressure
* Cloudy urine with a strong odor
* Pus or blood in your urine (hematuria)
* Inability to urinate (urine retention)
* Need to urinate during the night (nocturia)
* Back, side (flank) or groin pain
* Fever
Causes and Organs Affected:
Kidney infection typically occurs when bacteria enter your urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply. Bacteria from an infection elsewhere in your body also can spread through your bloodstream to your kidneys. Kidney infection is unusual through this route, but it can occur in some circumstances — for instance, when a foreign body, such as an artificial joint or heart valve, gets infected. Rarely, kidney infection results after kidney surgery.
Risk Factor:
Your kidneys have infection-fighting properties that ordinarily inhibit the growth of bacteria. However, certain factors increase the chances that bacteria will enter your urinary tract, take hold and multiply into a full-blown infection.
Treatment:
If your symptoms are typical and you're generally in good health, antibiotics are the first line of treatment for kidney infection. Which drugs you use and for how long depends on your health condition and the bacteria found in your urine tests.
Drugs commonly recommended for treating kidney infection include:
* Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox)
* Quinolones such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and norfloxacin (Noroxin)
* The antibiotic combination sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra)
Other Information:
You can take steps to reduce your risk of kidney infection. Women, in particular, may benefit from these suggestions: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, Urinate frequently, Empty your bladder after intercourse, Shower rather than bathe, Wipe carefully, Wash gently and Avoid using feminine products in your genital area.