Pyelonephritis or kidney infection is a common ailment affecting people all over the world. These infections are more common in women as they have a shorter urethra than men. Buthow do you get kidney infections and what are the symptoms of a kidney infection? In today’s blog we will find answers to these questions so that your kidneys can stay happy and healthy.
How Kidney Infections Develop?
Let’s explore the causes of pyelonephritis.
Most kidney infections are usually bacterial infections (caused by bacteria). If bacteria enter a person’s urinary tract via the urethra, it may succeed in traveling up to their kidneys and cause infections.
Other than bacteria in kidneys, what else can cause kidney infections? One can have kidney infections for some other reasons as well. For instance, if a person has a weak immune system, the risks of having infections are higher – not just in the kidneys but any organ. Kidney stones and medical conditions affecting the bladder can lead to kidney infections.
Symptoms of Kidney Infections
- Recurring pain in the lower back, groin, or sides
- A burning sensation when urinating
- Chills and fever
- Feeling sick or vomiting
- Pain or burning when urinating
- Cloudy, smelly, or bloody urine
- Frequent or sudden urination
- Feeling weak or tired
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
Kidney Infection Risk Factors
1. UTIs
There’s a link between urinary tract infections and kidneys. If UTI spread to kidneys, the kidneys too can get infected. Other conditions affecting the bladder like kidney stones can also increase the risk of kidney infections.
2. Vesicoureteral reflux
Vesicoureteral reflux is a rare condition which makes the urine flow backwards, that is, from the urinary bladder to the person’s kidneys. So, chances of kidney infection become high.
3. Weakened immune system
Someone with weak immunity is more prone to getting various kinds of infections and kidney infection is one of them. This explains why AIDS patients have recurrent kidney infections.
4. Pregnancy
Many pregnant women have kidney infection as during pregnancy, urine flows slowly. Hence, it’s easy for bacteria to go to the kidneys, causing a kidney infection.
What to Do If You Have Kidney Infection?
Is there pain in your genitals or tummy? Have you been experiencing some other kidney infection symptom? In such cases, you should not delay visiting a doctor as the sooner the infection is diagnosed, the quicker the treatment will begin. Moreover, ignoring the kidney infection symptoms can lead to severe symptoms such as vomiting, increased heart rate, and low BP. If neglected for a long time, kidney infection can cause some untreatable kidney disease like permanent kidney damage.
As far as the treatment is concerned, kidney infections are usually treated with antibiotics. Painkillers might also be necessary if the pain is too intense. You should not take any medication without consulting a doctor and you need to complete the entire course of those antibiotics to be fully cured.
Tips to Prevent Kidney Infections
Kidney is an important part of your body responsible for performing multiple crucial functions. If you take good care of your kidneys, the chances of getting a kidney infection will be lower. So, here are some steps you can take for preventing kidney infections:
- Urinate and deeply cleanse your vaginal area after having intercourse or foreplay.
- When you are on your periods, change your pad once every few hours even if there is mild bleeding.
- After pooping or peeing, always wipe the front first and then wipe the back.
- Drink 3-4 liters of water daily to get rid of waste and toxins from your body.
- Avoid spraying deodorants to the genitals.
The Takeaway
We hope we answered all your questions about kidney infections. Whether one or both kidneys are infected, drink plenty of water and take your medicines to treat a kidney infection. If you follow these steps, you will start to feel better within 48 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the common causes of kidney infections?
If bacteria enter an individual’s urethra and succeeds in traveling up to the kidneys, they are likely to get kidney infection. E. coli kidney infection is the most common. Pregnancy, UTI, anal sex, and weak immunity can be other causes of kidney infection.
Q. Can a urinary tract infection (UTI) lead to a kidney infection?
Yes, a person with UTI may have a kidney infection. In fact, 1 in every 30 UTIs result in kidney infection. So, contact a general physician if you think you have UTI.
