Kidney infection

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Kidney infection, also known as pyelonephritis, is a type of urinary tract infection that generally begins in your urethra or bladder and travels to one or both of your kidneys.

Causes[edit | edit source]

Kidney infections are caused by bacteria that enter through the urinary tract. This can occur when bacteria from the skin or rectal areas enter the urinary tract. The bacteria can then travel up the urinary tract and cause an infection in the bladder (cystitis) or kidneys (pyelonephritis).

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

Common symptoms of kidney infection include:

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Diagnosis of kidney infection is typically made through a combination of medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. These tests may include a urine test to identify bacteria and white blood cells, and a blood test to check for signs of infection.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment for kidney infection typically involves antibiotics. In severe cases, hospitalization may be required. It's important to complete the full course of antibiotics, even if symptoms improve before the medication is finished.

Prevention[edit | edit source]

Prevention of kidney infection involves reducing the risk of urinary tract infections. This can be achieved through good hygiene, drinking plenty of fluids, and urinating regularly.

See also[edit | edit source]

Kidney infection Resources
Doctor showing form.jpg
Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.


Contributors: Admin, Prab R. Tumpati, MD