Pyelonephritis

What is Pyelonephritis?

Pyelonephritis is an infection of the kidney and the ureters. The ureters are ducts that carry urine away from the kidney.

Pyelonephritis is also called kidney infection, complicated urinary tract infection.

What Causes Pyelonephritis?

Pyelonephritis is most often caused by a urinary tract infection. The presence of occasional or persistent backflow of urine from the bladder into the ureters is the main cause of pyelonephritis.

The risk of developing pyelonephritis increases if there is a history of cystitis, chronic or recurrent urinary tract infection, renal papillary necrosis, kidney stones, vesicoureteric reflux, or obstructive uropathy.

Types of Pyelonephritis

Pyelonephritis can be classified in several different categories:

1. Acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis
   • Sudden development of kidney inflammation.
   • Can be severe in the elderly and people who have cancer or AIDS.
2. Chronic pyelonephritis
   • A long-standing infection that does not clear.
3. Reflux nephropathy
   • An infection that occurs in the presence of an obstruction.

Symptoms of Pyelonephritis

Some of the most common symptoms are:

• Fever
• Flank pain or back pain
• Severe abdominal pain
• Chills with shaking
• Vomiting, nausea
• Fatigue
• Painful urination
• Frequent urination
• Blood in the urine

Can Pyelonephritis be Treated?

Yes. The goals of treatment are to control the infection and reduce of symptoms. The most common treatments for pyelonephritis are antibiotics and medication to reduce the fever.

If pyelonephritis is not treated immediately, permanent kidney damage can occur. If the patient is elderly and is not treated promptly, death can occur.

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