Definition:
Kidney infection (pyelonephritis) is a specific type of urinary tract infection (UTI) that generally begins in your urethra or
bladder and travels up into your kidneys. Kidney infection, or pyelonephritis, very often results when a bacterial infection
moves from the lower urinary tract like bladder, urethra to the kidneys.
Diagnosis:
To diagnose a kidney infection, the health care provider reviews the patient's medical history, checking in particular for a
history of urinary tract infection (UTI).
Treatment:
Drugs commonly recommended for treating kidney infection include: Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox), Quinolones such as
ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and norfloxacin (Noroxin), the antibiotic combination sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra).
Symptoms and Signs:
Kidney infection may cause one or more of these signs and symptoms: Frequent urination, Strong, persistent urge to urinate,
Burning sensation or pain when urinating, Abdominal pain or pressure, Cloudy urine with a strong odor, Pus or blood in your
urine (hematuria), Inability to urinate (urine retention), Need to urinate during the night (nocturia), Back, side (flank) or
groin pain, Fever.
Causes:
Kidney infection typically occurs when bacteria enter your urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply. Bacteria
from an infection in your body also can spread through your bloodstream to your kidneys.
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