Kidney infection, also known as renal infection or pyelonephritis, is a type of urinary tract infection (UTI) that is usually caused caused by E. coli bacteria. The bacteria may have spread from the bladder or the urethra to one of the kidneys, infecting it. The urethra is a tube which transports urine from the bladder outside the body.
If kidney infection is not treated promptly, there is a risk of serious complications, including kidney damage and blood poisoning (sepsis). It is usually treated with antibiotics. In many cases, patients with kidney infection are hospitalized.
Key points about Kidney Infections
Here are some key points about kidney infections. More detail and supporting information is in the main article.
- Kidney infections are also known as pyelonephritis.
- Kidney infections are split into two types: complicated and uncomplicated.
- Kidney infections have a number of potential causes, including a weakened immune system and kidney stones.
- Symptoms of kidney infections include diarrhea, nausea and back pain.
- Sometimes a bladder infection may occur at the same time as a kidney infection.
- One of the kidney's major roles is to remove toxins from the body.
- A urine test can diagnose an infection, but not where in the body the infection is.
- In most cases, oral antibiotics can successfully treat kidney infections.
- Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a rare complication of kidney infections
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