Kidney Infection: Early Signs, Causes, Treatment Options and Recovery
What Is a Kidney Infection?
A kidney infection also known as pyelonephritis is a urinary tract infection which affects either one or both the kidneys in the human body. This infection begins in the lower urinary tract such as urethra or bladder and travels upward through ureters towards the kidneys.
The work of kidneys is to filter the waste from the blood which helps in maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance in the human body. When left untreated, a kidney infection can lead to serious issues. In some cases, the bacterial enters the bloodstream and causes sepsis which is a life-threatening response to infection.
This infection can affect people of any age and is most commonly found in women. Timely diagnosis and right treatment are necessary as kidney infection needs antibiotics and cannot be cured on its own.
Early Signs and Symptoms of a Kidney Infection
The early signs of kidney infection may either appear suddenly or develop gradually. Initially, people experience symptoms which are similar to those of bladder infection. The most common early symptoms include burning sensation, painful urinating, frequent or urgent need to urinate, cloudy or dark urine, strong smelling urine, blood in urine, painful in the lower abdomen and feeling weak.
When the infection reaches kidneys, the symptoms may develop and include fever, chills, pain in the back or side, nausea, vomiting, muscle ache and a general feeling of illness. If a patient experiences fever, pain or urinary symptoms then it indicates a kidney infection. Many adults have symptoms which are not that typical. In sever cases, there may be confusion or a noticeable change in the mental status.
If a patient experiences back pain, severe flank, vomiting, blood in the urine or difficulty in passing urine then immediate medical assessment might be needed. Pregnant women should immediately seek medical attention if the developed symptoms suggest a kidney infection.
Common Causes and Risk Factors
The common kidney infections are caused by bacteria which enter through the urethra, multiply in bladder and travel upward towards the kidneys.
Common kidney infection causes and risk factors include:
- Urinary tract infection: An infection in the urinary bladder which is left untreated may spread to the kidneys.
- Risk in females: Women have shorter urethra than men which makes them more susceptible to getting bacteria through the urinary tract.
- Kidney or urinary stones: Kidney or urinary stones are likely to obstruct the flow of urine which multiplies bacteria.
- Urinary blockage: The condition which prevents the bladder from emptying properly increases the risk of infection.
- Enlarged prostate: An enlarged prostate in men interferes with the normal urine flow thereby increasing the risk of urinary infection.
- Pregnancy: The urinary tract changes during pregnancy which makes urinary infections more common and allow infection to enter the kidneys.
- Diabetes: Diabetes makes the patient susceptible to infection and makes infections control difficult.
- Structural abnormalities of the urinary tract: Any abnormality in the structure of the urinary tract interferes with the normal urine drainage.
- Urinary catheters: People who need urinary catheters are likely to be at a higher risk of urinary tract infections.
- Weakened immune system: There are certain medical conditions and treatments which weaken the immune system and increase the risk of infection.
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Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Kidney Infection
The doctor diagnoses a kidney infection by examining the patient’s symptoms, and laboratory tests.
How is a kidney infection diagnosed?
A urine test is done to look for signs of infection such as blood, bacteria or white blood cells. A urine culture is performed to identify the bacteria which causes the infection and determines which antibiotics will work best.
On the basis of the patient’s symptoms and medical history, doctor recommends blood test to check the severity of the infection and kidney function. Imaging test, and ultrasound or CT scan are done if there is any concern about the obstruction, kidney stones, recurrent infections, abnormality in the urinary tract or complications.
How is a kidney infection treated?
Kidney infections are majorly caused by bacteria and treated using antibiotics. The specific antibiotic, dose and duration is finalized depending on the bacteria, severity of the condition, any previous infection, kidney function, antibiotic resistance patterns and overall health of the patient.
People with mild infection can be treated through fluids and oral antibiotics. But hospital treatment is necessary when the infection is severe and patients keep vomiting medicines and fluids, there are signs of sepsis, the patient is pregnant or there are any other underlying medical conditions. Intravenous antibiotics and fluids may be given to the patients in the hospital when required.
Recovery Tips and Possible Complications
The kidney infections are likely to get improved when the treatment given is timely and right. However, recovery depends on the infection severity and overall health of the patient.
Tips during recovery
- Patients should take antibiotics as prescribed.
- Adequate liquid intake is necessary.
- Get proper rest.
- If the symptoms don’t improve, follow up with the doctor.
- Don’t ignore the urinary symptoms which keeps coming up.
- If there is an underlying stone then ensure that it gets treated.
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What happens if a kidney infection is left untreated?
If the kidney infection is left untreated then it may lead to complications such as kidney abscess, sepsis, kidney damage and can cause recurrent infections.
How to Prevent Kidney Infections and When to See a Doctor
There are several measures which can help in reducing the risk of urinary tract infections and progression.
Prevention measures
- Drink adequate water.
- Don’t hold urine for long periods.
- Urinate after sexual activity.
- Maintain good personal hygiene.
- Women should wipe from front to back.
- Take medical help if the urinary symptoms persist.
When should you see a doctor?
You should consult a doctor if there are symptoms that indicate a kidney infection like pain in the side or back, fever, burning sensation, nausea, vomiting, blood in the urine, and other symptoms. Urgent medical attention is required if the patients feel confused, has difficulty in breathing, rapid heartbeat, faints or shows other severe signs of illness.
Conclusion
A kidney infection is not an ordinary urinary infection and must be treated in time. When delayed, the infection leads to serious consequences. Always consult a doctor when you see the common symptoms or warning signs like fever, chills, urinary symptoms or pain in the back or side.
If you have been facing the above mention symptoms then consult the best nephrologist in Jaipur at JD Max Healthcare. Here, the patients get customized treatment according to the symptoms shown and underlying causes. Book an appointment now.
FAQs
1. Can a kidney infection go away without antibiotics?
A bacterial kidney infection does not get cured without medical treatment; antibiotics are required to treat it. Any delay in the treatment causes the infection to worsen and leads to its spreading in the bloodstream.
2. What are the early signs of a kidney infection?
The most common early signs of kidney infection include burning sensation while urinating, frequent or urgent urination, cloudy urine, smelling urine, blood in the urine or lower abdominal discomfort. Fever, nausea, chills or pain in the side or back are other symptoms which indicate kidney concerns.
3. What causes a kidney infection?
The most common kidney infections are caused by bacteria which enter the urinary tract and travel upward from bladder to the kidneys. The urinary tract infections, urinary blockage, urinary catheters, diabetes, pregnancy and certain abnormalities in the urinary tract increases the risk of infection.
4. How is a kidney infection diagnosed?
The infection in the kidney is diagnosed by examining the symptoms and getting a urine test done. A urine culture identifies the bacteria and helps in choosing the right antibiotic treatment. In complicated cases like obstruction or kidney stones, blood tests and imaging may be required.
5. What are the treatment options for a kidney infection?
For bacterial kidney infections, antibiotics are the primary treatment. In mild cases, oral antibiotics work while severe infection might require hospitalization, intravenous antibiotics and fluids. If there are kidney stones, urinary obstruction or any other kidney issue then additional treatment might be required
