Kidney Infection – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Kidney infections are serious urinary tract infections that affect the kidneys. These infections typically start in the urethra or bladder before traveling upward to one or both kidneys. The medical term for a kidney infection is pyelonephritis.
Getting quick medical care for kidney infections is essential. Without proper treatment, these infections can cause permanent kidney damage. In severe cases, bacteria might enter the bloodstream, creating a potentially life-threatening situation.
Treatment for kidney infections usually involves antibiotics. Some patients may need to receive these medications in a hospital setting, especially for more severe infections.
Symptoms
Kidney infections may cause several signs, including:
- Fever
- Chills
- Burning sensation during urination
- Frequent urination
- Persistent urge to urinate
- Pain in the back, side, or groin
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blood or pus in urine
- Foul-smelling or cloudy urine
- Abdominal pain
These symptoms often develop quickly and may feel more intense than a simple bladder infection. The pain might be constant and could range from mild to severe, depending on the infection’s severity.
When to See a Doctor
Contact your healthcare provider if you notice any kidney infection symptoms. If you’re currently being treated for a urinary tract infection, but your symptoms aren’t improving, schedule an appointment.
Get medical help right away if you have kidney infection symptoms, such as bloody urine, nausea, or vomiting. Early treatment helps prevent complications and promotes faster recovery.
Causes
Kidney infections often start when bacteria enter through the urethra and move into the urinary tract. These bacteria can multiply quickly and travel upward to the kidneys.
Sometimes, bacteria from infections elsewhere in the body reach the kidneys through the bloodstream. This happens less commonly than the urethral route.
In rare situations, infected artificial joints or heart valves can lead to kidney infections. Additionally, some people develop kidney infections as a complication following kidney surgery, though this is uncommon.
Risk Factors
Several factors can make a kidney infection more likely to occur:
Gender Differences
Women face a higher risk because they have shorter urethras than men, allowing bacteria to reach the bladder more easily. The proximity of the urethra to the vagina and anus increases this risk. Pregnancy further raises this risk for women.
Urinary Flow Problems
Anything that blocks urine flow can increase infection risk, including:
- Kidney stones
- Narrowed urethra
- Enlarged prostate gland
Compromised Immune System
People with weakened immunity have less protection against infections. This includes those with:
- Diabetes
- HIV
- Transplant recipients taking anti-rejection medications
Nerve Damage
When nerves around the bladder are damaged, a person may not feel the symptoms of a bladder infection. This delay in treatment allows the infection to potentially spread to the kidneys.
Catheter Use
People who need urinary catheters (tubes that drain urine from the bladder) have an increased risk. These are commonly used:
- After certain surgeries
- During some diagnostic tests
- For bedridden patients
Vesicoureteral Reflux
This condition causes urine to flow backward from the bladder toward the kidneys. People with this condition have higher kidney infection risks throughout their lives, starting in childhood.
Complications
Kidney infections require prompt treatment to avoid serious health issues. Untreated infections can lead to permanent kidney damage, chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure, and kidney failure.
The infection can also spread into the bloodstream, leading to a dangerous condition where bacteria circulate throughout the body. This systemic infection can become life-threatening without immediate medical intervention.
For pregnant women, kidney infections pose special risks. The infection can disrupt normal pregnancy and raise the risk of having a low-birth-weight baby, potentially causing health issues for the newborn.
Ways to Prevent Kidney Infections
Kidney infections often begin as urinary tract infections (UTIs). Taking steps to prevent UTIs can reduce your risk of developing a kidney infection.
Women, especially, can benefit from these preventive measures.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Water is particularly helpful as it helps flush bacteria from your urinary system when you urinate. Try to drink 6–8 glasses of water daily.
- Don’t hold your urine. When you feel the need to urinate, go promptly. Holding urine allows bacteria more time to multiply in your urinary tract.
- Urinate after sex. Going to the bathroom shortly after sexual activity helps clear bacteria from the urethra, reducing infection risk.
- Practice proper hygiene. Always wipe from front to back after using the toilet. This prevents bacteria from the anal region from spreading to the urethra.
- Avoid irritating products. Skip using:
- Douches
- Deodorant sprays in the genital area
- Harsh soaps or bubble baths
- Scented feminine products
Additional Preventive Measures
| Strategy | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Wear cotton underwear | Improves airflow and reduces moisture |
| Avoid tight-fitting pants | Decreases bacterial growth |
| Change out of wet swimwear promptly | Limits time in damp conditions |
| Take showers instead of baths | Reduces exposure to bacteria |
People with recurring UTIs or kidney infections should speak with their healthcare provider about additional prevention strategies. Some may benefit from preventive antibiotics or other treatments.
Those with diabetes should maintain good blood sugar control, as high glucose levels can increase UTI risk. Anyone with urinary tract abnormalities should follow their doctor’s specific recommendations for preventing infections.
