10 Causes of Kidney Infection
Kidney infection, or pyelonephritis, refers to the inflammation of the kidney caused by a bacterial infection. Common symptoms of a kidney infection include flank tenderness, fever, nausea, dysuria, increased urinary frequency, and more. Severe and advanced cases of kidney infection can lead to complications such as sepsis, kidney failure, and pus around the kidney.
When an infection spreads upwards from the urinary tract – and, less commonly, through the bloodstream – to the kidney, it becomes infected. Kidney infection can be diagnosed based on the symptoms of the patient, urinalysis, and possibly, medical imaging. The risk of developing a kidney infection can be lowered by drinking enough fluids and urination after sexual intercourse. It is usually treated with antibiotics such as ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin.
Severe cases may require hospital admission, and surgery may be necessary among patients with kidney stones or structural issues in the urinary tract. Pyelonephritis is common and affects approximately 1 to 2 in every 1,000 women and 0.5 per 1,000 men. This condition is most commonly seen among young adult females. It has a good prognosis among young adults, but the risk of death for individuals over the age of 65 is about 40 percent.
