A kidney infection is a type of urinary tract infection. The kidneys are the upper part of the urinary tract – they can become infected, just like most organs in the body. Infections of the kidney are known as pyelonephritis. Pylenonephritis can be an extremely painful experience. In addition to pain, there are other common symptoms of kidney infections.
Kidney infections are usually caused by bacteria. These bacteria most commonly ascend from the bladder, travelling backwards up the path that urine takes to get out of the body. Infections of the bladder are a risk factor for developing a kidney infection. Because women are at greater risk than men for bladder infections, they are also more likely to get an infection in a kidney.
Other risk factors for getting a kidney infection include being pregnant, frequent sexual intercourse, and the presence of kidney stones. Kidney stones can cause blockages in the proper drainage of urine, causing a build-up of bacteria. Pregnancy and frequent sex can increase the risk of a bladder infection, and by extension, the risk of a kidney infection. Men do get pyelonephritis, but it is far more common in women (after all, men don’t get pregnant, right?)
There are some common symptoms for pyelonephritis. One of the first symptoms a person has is a fever. A fever is a general sign of an infection, and is almost always seen in people who have a kidney infection – although it is not diagnostic for the condition.
Kidney infections can also cause a person to have pain when they urinate. Flank pain, over the kidneys is common. This pain can be made worse when someone (typically your doctor during an exam) taps your side in the area over the kidney.
Some degree of nausea and vomiting is also seen in many patients who have a kidney infection. This is also a non-specific symptom, but it is quite common in these cases.
A kidney infection can be diagnosed based on the clinical presentation of the patient (the fever, pain, and other symptoms). It is confirmed by testing the urine. Urine in a person with a kidney infection will have a very definite set of chemicals in it that can easily be tested for. If an infection is found, the urine will be sent for a culture, to determine what bacteria is the causing the problem (it’s usually one in particular), and more importantly, what antibiotics will kill that particular strain of bug.
Antibiotic treatment does not wait until the culture results are back. Instead, the doctor will start the patient on a general antibiotic, and make adjustments as necessary if the culture results indicate a change is needed. It’s important to stay well hydrated when you have a kidney infection. Some pain control medication may also be necessary, depending on the severity of pain the patient is experiencing.
If you have questions regarding the symptoms or treatment of a kidney infection, have a talk with your doctor or a nurse. These infections are treatable and they should not be ignored. Untreated kidney infections can become quite serious.
Source: medical school and experience as a practice doctor.
