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Home > Information Centre > Kidney Infections

Kidney Infections

Introduction

Pyelonephritis is the medical name for an infection of one or both kidneys. You can develop pyelonephritis at any age. Although pyelonephritis is not that common, it is more common in women than in men.

Your body has two kidneys, one on each side of your abdomen. Each kidney makes urine, which then drains down a tube called the ureter into your bladder. Urine is stored in the bladder and then passes out of your body when you go to the toilet.

Pyelonephritis usually occurs when bacteria in your bladder travel up to reach your kidneys. This can happen when you have cystitis, although there are other causes.

Symptoms

The symptoms of pyelonephritis usually develop over just a few hours, but they can come on very suddenly.

They may include:

pain in the lower side of your back, on either side or both sides,

fever,

shivering,

feeling sick,

vomiting,

diarrhoea,

blood in your urine,

your urine turning cloudy and smelling unusually bad,

pain when you pass urine, and

needing to go to the toilet more often than normal.

Children who have pyelonephritis may sometimes have convulsions (fits).

You may not have all of these symptoms. Occasionally, someone with pyelonephritis may just feel generally unwell.

People who have repeated kidney infections may develop chronic pyelonephritis. This will normally only happen if you have another kidney problem which causes repeated infections, such as large kidney stones. The symptoms of chronic pyelonephritis are usually similar to those listed above, but less severe. Also, any fever you have may come and go, or you may not have a fever at all.

Causes

Most kidney infections are caused by bacteria reaching your kidneys, as a result of an infection in your bladder such as cystitis. Most people with cystitis do not develop a kidney infection, but sometimes the bacteria causing your cystitis can travel up your ureter and infect your kidneys.

Some kidney infections develop without a bladder infection. They can have a variety of causes. A problem in your kidneys, like a kidney stone, can stop your urine flowing freely and bacteria can begin to grow in the trapped urine. The same thing can happen if you have a blockage in one of your ureters.

Sometimes, bacteria may reach your kidneys through your bloodstream.

Diagnosis

Your GP will be able to diagnose pyelonephritis from your symptoms. They will confirm the diagnosis by asking you for a urine sample, which will be tested to find out what is causing your infection. They may also take a blood sample to check for bacteria in your blood.

These may be the only tests that are needed. But in some situations you may also need to have an X-ray, an MRI scan (magnetic resonance imaging scan), or a CT scan (computed tomography scan). For example, if your GP suspects that your pyelonephritis is being caused by a kidney stone or kidney abnormality, or if you do not respond to antibiotics within 48 hours, you may need a scan. Further tests may be needed on men or children with pyelonephritis, as it is less common in these groups.

Treatment

Pyelonephritis is usually treated with antibiotics to clear the infection. Your GP will usually prescribe you an antibiotic straight away, before they have the result of your urine test, if a kidney infection suspected.

Painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen may help ease any pain you are feeling and reduce your temperature if you have a fever. Ibuprofen is not recommended if you have a history of asthma, kidney or liver disease. Your GP may prescribe stronger painkillers if your pain is more severe.

You should make sure you have lots to drink, at least to 2 litres of water a day unless you have another medical condition that means you cannot drink that much, for example, heart failure.

In most cases antibiotics will clear the infection. But in some cases you do need to be admitted to hospital. This may be because:

your infection is severe,

your infection does not respond quickly to antibiotics,

you are at risk from dehydration due to being sick or going to the toilet a lot, or

you are frail or have other medical conditions, such as diabetes, that make it necessary.

In hospital, antibiotics can be given directly into one of your veins so that they work quickly. You can also be given a drip (where fluid is put directly into a vein) to help ensure you get enough fluids.

If tests show that your kidney infection is due to a kidney stone, a blockage of the ureter or some other kidney abnormality then you may need to have surgery to correct the problem.

The best essential oils to use for kidneys are Chamomile, Cedarwood and Juniper. Also try Cypress, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Frankincense, Geranium and Rosemary. Never take essential oils internally but use in massage round the kidney area. However it is very important to stress that all kidney ailments need prompt medical attention.

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July 2008