Pyelonephritis, or kidney infection, is caused by viruses or bacteria. Typically, it arises in the bladder and then passes to the kidney with urithers(a duct that connects the bladder with the kidney). Its common symptoms are fever, nausea, pain in the back and belly, and dark-colored urine.

Do you know that a minor infection in the kidney can turn into severe medical conditions such as chronic kidney damage and sepsis? Therefore, learning about this infection in detail, including its causes and treatment, is necessary to avoid significant problems. In this blog, we will discuss Symptoms, causes, and treatments in detail to create awareness among our audience about this infection. So, let’s start.

Kidney Infection Symptoms

The symptoms vary according to the age factor. A younger child may only experience fever, while an older adult over 65 has a problem with thinking. Some shared general symptoms are

• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Pain while urination
• Dark-colored urine or foul smell of urine
• Pain in back
• Pain in belly

What Are The Kidney Infection Causes?

Escherichia coli is the leading cause of this infection. It usually lives in the intestine and does not harm you at all. However, if it enters the bladder, it causes great trouble. Now the question is how it can enter into the bladder. As it lives in the intestine, feces contain E.coli bacteria, and a minute amount of feces enters the urinary tract through the urethra opening, moves to the bladder, and starts multiplying there. Besides E.coli, some other bacteria and viruses are responsible for the infection in the kidney.

Who is at More Risk of Getting Pyelonephritis?

Regarding the age Factor, younger children and adults above 65 are more prone to getting this infection. The reason is that children have a condition known as vesicoureteral reflux. It is a condition in which the backflow of a small amount of urine from the bladder into tubes occurs. These tubes connect with the kidney, and infection occurs.

In terms of gender, females are at a higher potential risk of getting an infection in the kidneys because they have shorter urethra than men, due to which bacteria can easily reach the bladder and kidneys. Another reason is that their urethra is closer to the anus, due to which e.coli from the feces approaches the bladder quickly and then moves toward the kidney and causes the infection there.

Possible Risk Factors for Getting Infection in Kidneys

Besides age and gender, some other risk factors increase a person’s risk of contracting an infection. Below are the details about these risk factors.

Blockage in Urination

Any hindrance that stops you from emptying your bladder completely is a potential risk factor for growing bacteria in your bladder. This hindrance may be a stone, enlarged prostate gland, or narrowing urethra.

Week Immune System

Some diseases, such as Diabetes and  HIV, weaken the immune system and leave the person at risk of infection in the kidney. Moreover, some medicines, especially the drugs after an organ transplant, also lower the immunity level and cause this infection.

Catheter Insertion for Urination

Catheters are tubes that are inserted into the human body for urination after surgery or in persons who are not able to move and pee independently. They are also a major risk factor for infection in kidneys. The reason for this is that bacteria from the skin or the surrounding environment can directly enter the urethra and pass to the bladder, ultimately leading to Pyelonephritis.

Nerve Damage Around the Bladder

If the nerves around the bladder are damaged in a person, then he can not feel the initial symptoms, such as pain in the bladder or heavy bladder, ultimately leading to severe Pyelonephritis.

Preventive Measures

It is always better to take preventive measures than to cure. So, here are some preventive measures to avoid infection.

• Pee on time and never hold it for a long time.
• Always urinate after having sex so that bacteria flush out through urination.
• Wipe out your vagina and penis thoroughly to make proper hygiene.
• Never use unnecessary sprays of deodorant around your genital areas.

Home Remedies For Minor Kidney Infection Symptoms

If you are experiencing minor symptoms such as bearable bladder pain, mild nausea, or slight pain in the back or belly, follow the home remedies given below.

• Drink a lot of fluid so that you feel the urge to pee frequently and flush out the bacteria through urination from your bladder before it reaches your kidneys.
• Never hold the pee and empty the bladder whenever you need the urge to pee.
• Use a pain reliever that contains acetaminophen; never opt for aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen.

When to Go to Hospital?

If the symptoms are severe and do not go away with the home remedies, you must immediately visit the doctor. Pyelonephritis during pregnancy is also a must hospital visit condition. Moreover, suppose you are under treatment for a UTI (urinary tract infection) and not getting well. In that case, you must go to the doctor for checkup because untreated UTI leads to Pyelonephritis.

Do you want to know the difference between UTI and infection in kidneys? Let’s clarify the significant difference.

UTI vs kidney Infection

UTI (urinary tract infection) infects the bladder and urethra, and its symptoms are similar to those of Pyelonephritis. However, Pyelonephritisn affects the kidneys and can make you severely ill with severe symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, etc.

Let’s move back to our main topic.

Diagnosis And Tests for Pyelonephritis

Only expert physicians can tell you whether you have a UTI or aPyelonephritis. Usually, doctors perform CT scans, urine tests, or blood tests to diagnose your conditions and prescribe medications accordingly.

Kidney Infection Treatments

The treatment depends upon the severity of the infection. The following are the treatments for diversified levels of infections in kidney.

Antibiotic Treatment

If your doctor thinks that your infection is curable, The general antibiotics that doctors prescribe for infections in the kidneys are

• Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX).
• Amoxicillin or augmentin.
• Ceftriaxone or cephalexin.
• Ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin

What is the Kidney Infection Recovery Time With Antibiotics

For complete recovery, you must take the medications for almost seven days, and after two to three days of medicine intake, you will start feeling better. However, complete your antibiotics course even if you start feeling better, and always have a repeat urine or blood test to know whether you have fully recovered.

Hospitalization Treatment

If your infection is severe and your doctor thinks it will not be cured with antibiotics, hospitalization is necessary. You will have to go through various IV (intravenous) fluids and antibiotics to recover. The treatment time at the hospital depends upon the severity of the infection and your immunity to recover. The sooner you get better, the sooner you will be discharged.

If you get repeated Pyelonephritis, this is a sign that you have a serious problem in your urinary system or kidney, and you should be referred to a urologist or nephrologist accordingly.

Complications in Untreated Pyelonephritis

If you don’t have treatment for Pyelonephritis on time, then it leads to severe complications.

Septicemia

If bacteria enter the blood from your kidney, they move towards the body’s various organs and start destroying them. This chronic condition requires emergency help from specialists. If septicemia remains untreated, the body’s autoimmune system starts inflammation in different parts of the body, leading to sudden sepsis shock and death.

Renal papillary necrosis

It is a very rare condition, and In this, kidney damage.

Emphysematous Pyelonephritis

This condition occurs in diabetic people if they have an untreated Pyelonephritis. In this situation, bacteria start destroying parts of the kidneys and produce gas.

Final Words

Kidney infections are curable if diagnosed and treated properly on time. You can even get relief from home remedies such as drinking enough fluid and peeing on time. However, if you develop severe symptoms such as fever, nausea, and pain in your back, belly, and backside, visit your doctor immediately and seek medical help. Long-term untreated Pyelonephritis can cause serious conditions such as sepsis and kidney failure.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do UTIs differ from a kidney infection?

UTI is an infection in the lower urinary tract, while  infection in the kidneys directly affects them.

Why do kidney stones cause infections?

Kidney stones create blockages and hinder the bladder from emptying completely, which increases the chances of infections in kidneys.

Can a kidney infection be detected by a urine test?

Yes, it can be detected from a urine sample. Health providers check the urine sample for the presence of bacteria and viruses.

What are the possible causes of kidney infections?

The possible causes are

• Nerve damage around the bladder
• Week immune system
• Blockage in urination due to stones or prostate glands
• Narrowing urethra
• Cather insertion after surgery

Do you get kidney pain with a UTI?

In UTI, you get pain from the mid to upper back. Sometimes, you can also experience a sudden stabbing pain in your kidney.

Can you have kidney stones without symptoms?

Yes, stones can remain in the kidney without any symptoms for years.

How do I know if my UTI is affecting my kidneys?

If your symptoms of UTI get worse and you experience fever, chills, nausea, lower back pain, and vomiting, then it’s an alarming sign that your UTI is affecting the kidneys.

Why do kidney stones cause frequent urination?

Kidney stones create pressure in the kidney and ureter, which causes inflammation in the urinary tract. The muscles of the ureter contract to move the stones out, and urinary tract nerves send signals to the brain for urination. As a result, a person feels the urge to pee frequently, even if there is only a small pee to urinate.