Kidney Infections

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Pyelonephritis is a serious infection. Here are a few treatment options:

• Kidney infections are usually treated at home, but may be treated in a hospital depending on the general health of the patient, and how severe the infection is.
• If treated at home, Antibiotics are prescribed to the patient, they are usually a tablet or a capsule and last between 7-14 days. The antibiotics fight off the bacteria/infection. Drinking plenty of fluids. Fluids keep you hydrated and will help flush out bacteria from kidneys. Pain killers may be prescribed and taken depending on pain and how high temperature of patient is. Cranberry juice is recommended while fighting a kidney infection because it fights against E. Coli bacteria
• If treated in the hospital, Patient is attached to an IV and given fluids. Antibiotics are given through the IV. Regular blood and urine tests monitor health and see how antibiotics are fighting off the infections
• Antibiotics are the first line of treatment
• Which drug used and for how long depends on health and the bacteria found in your urine tests.

Symptoms of a kidney infection are as follows:

• Fever
• Back, side (flank) or groin pain
• Abdominal pain
• Frequent urination
• Strong persistent urge to urinate
• Burning sensation or pain when urinating
• Pus or blood in urine
• Urine that smells bad or is cloudy
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Confusion (Especially in the elderly)

• Kidney infections are most common in women, especially young females.
• Causes of kidney infection are bacteria that have gained entry to the urinary tract, usually via the anus or vagina.
• Kidney infections can sometimes be prevented by changing urinary catheters frequently, good hygiene practices, and taking preventive antibiotics in certain people at high risk.
• Prevalence is estimated to be 8-16% worldwide.

Doctors use the following tests/examinations to diagnose kidney infections;

• History- Telling your doctor the history of your illness and specific symptoms will make the doctors job a lot easier to diagnose you.
• Physical Examinations- Your doctor will give you a physical and take note of your general appearance, vital signs, and will press over your kidneys to examine for tenderness.
• Urinalysis- Microscopic analysis of the urine virtually always shows signs of infection. This will show excess white blood cells and bacteria.
• Urine culture- Over the course of a few days, the bacteria will grow in your urine on a culture dish, allowing the doctor to test which will be the best antibiotic to use.
•  Blood cultures- Blood cultures detect the bacteria and help with diagnosing an antibiotic.
• CT Scan- A scanner takes a series of x-rays and a computer puts together a image of the abdomen and kidneys. A CT scan isn’t necessary to diagnose but it sometimes helps.
• Kidney Ultrasound- A probe directs high-frequency sound waves through the skin, creating images of the kidneys and ureters. Ultrasound can help identify abscesses, stones, and blockages.

In addition to diagnosing a kidney infection, doctors will look into alternate causes and birth defects that would have caused the infection. This will help reduce your chances of getting multiple kidney infections.

Kidney Infection- also known as pyelonephritis.

Usually, the bacteria found in kidney infections is the same as the bacteria found in ordinary urinary tract infections like E. coli or klebsiella. Uncommonly, bacteria found on the skin can also cause kidney infections.

Conditions that create reduced urine flow make kidney infections more likely. When urine flow slows or stops, it is easier for bacteria to travel up the ureters. Some conditions that cause slow urine flow are;

• Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)
• Abdominal or pelvic masses (As from cancer)
• Stones in the bladder, ureters, or kidneys

Kidney stones contribute to pyelonephritis by giving bacteria a place to grow while evading the body’s defenses.

Diabetes and conditions that impair the immune system also makes it more likely for you to get pyelonephritis.