Covenant Family Practice - Acute Kidney Infection

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Acute Kidney Infection

Written by Robert A Wilson

Sunday, 11 February 2007

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Acute Kidney Infection
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Pyelonephritis is an infection involving the kidneys. As with all urinary tract infections, it occurs more frequently in women, due to their shorter urinary tract and urethral opening being close to the vagina and rectum. Intestinal bacteria present in these locations can easily contaminate the urethra with sexual intercourse or by wiping incorrectly after bowel movements or urinating. Most urinary tract infections are confined to the bladder, but sometimes the bacteria "climbs" the ureter (tube draining urine from the kidney to the bladder) and infects the kidney. Kidney infections may also be caused by obstructions (kidney stones, tumors, or developmental abnormalities), or blood infections. Men who develop urinary tract or kidney infections often have an underlying abnormality, such as prostate disease or enlargement, or obstruction from tumors or developmental abnormalities. You are more likely to develop a kidney infection when there is insertion of foreign materials into the urethra such as urinary catheters, or instruments used in diagnostic or surgical procedures; if you have diabetes, chronic urinary bladder infections, bladder tumors; if you tend to hold urine instead of voiding frequently; are pregnant or have lower extremity paralysis.

Symptoms may include:

Fever
Chills, often severe
Painful and/or frequent urination
Back or flank pain
Abdominal pain
Nausea, with or without, vomiting
Fatigue or malaise
Cloudy or bloody urine; Foul smelling urine

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Last Updated ( Friday, 08 February 2008 )

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