Kidney Infections: Symptoms, causes, Prevention and More

Kidney infection (pyelonephritis) is a type of urinary tract infection (UTI) that generally begins in the urethra or bladder and spreads to one or both of your kidneys. Kidney infection requires immediate medical attention.

If your kidney infection is not treated properly, your kidneys can be permanently damaged or bacteria can spread into your bloodstream and cause a life-threatening infection. Treatment for kidney infection, which usually includes antibiotics, may require hospitalization.

Symptoms: Kidney Infections

Signs and symptoms of a kidney infection might include:

• Getting Fever
• Having Chills
• Having a Back, side (flank) or groin pain
• An Abdominal pain
• Frequent urination
• Strong, persistent urge to urinate
• Burning sensation or pain when urinating
• Getting Nausea and vomiting
• Observing Pus or blood in your urine (hematuria)
• and Urine that smells bad or is cloudy

When to see a doctor: 

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have worrisome signs or symptoms. If you’re being treated for a urinary tract infection but your signs and symptoms aren’t improving, make an appointment.

Severe kidney infection can lead to life-threatening complications. Seek immediate medical attention if you have kidney infection symptoms combined with bloody urine or nausea and vomiting.

Causes: Kidney Infections

Bacteria that enter your urinary tract through the tube that carries urine from your body (urethra) can multiply and travel to your kidneys. This is the most common cause of kidney infections.

Bacteria from an infection in other parts of your body can also spread through the bloodstream to the kidneys. Although it is unusual to develop a kidney infection, it can happen, for example, if you have an artificial joint or a heart valve that becomes infected.

Rarely, kidney infection results after kidney surgery.

Prevention: Kidney Infections

Reduce your risk of developing a kidney infection by taking steps to prevent urinary tract infections. Women, especially, may reduce their risk of developing a UTI if:

• Drink fluids, especially water. Fluids can help remove bacteria from your body when you urinate.
• Urinate as soon as you need to. Avoid delaying urination when you feel the urge to urinate.
• Empty the bladder after intercourse. Urination as soon as possible after sexual intercourse helps to eject clear bacteria from the urethra, reducing the risk of infection.
• Wipe carefully. Stooling before and after urination helps prevent bacteria from spreading to the urethra..
• Avoid using feminine products in the genital area. Using products such as deodorant sprays in your genital area or douches can be irritating.

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