Kidney infection

Kidney infection - Illnesses & conditions | NHS inform Home Illnesses and conditions Symptoms and self-help Tests and treatments Healthy living Care, support and rights Scotlands Service Directory 0 Home Illnesses and conditions Kidneys, bladder and prostate Kidney infection Kidney infection About kidney infections Symptoms of kidney infections Causes of kidney infections Diagnosing kidney infections Treating kidney infections Complications of kidney infections Preventing kidney infections About kidney infections A kidney infection(pyelonephritis) is a painful and unpleasant illnesscaused by bacteria travelling from your bladder into one or both ofyour kidneys. Its more serious than cystitis , a common infection of the bladder that makes urinating painful. If treated promptly, a kidney infection doesnt cause serious harm, but will make you feel very unwell. If a kidney infection isnt treated, it can get worse and cause permanent kidney damage. Symptoms of a kidney infection often come on within a few hours. You can feel feverish, shivery, sick and have a pain in your back or side. Read more about the symptoms of a kidney infection When to see your GP See your GPif you have a fever and persistenttummy, lower backor genital pain,or if you notice a changeto your usual pattern of urination. Most kidney infections needprompt treatment with antibiotics to stop the infection from damaging the kidneys or spreading to the bloodstream. You may also need painkillers. If youre especially vulnerable to the effects of an infection, for example, if youhave a pre-existing health condition or arepregnant, you may be admitted to hospitaland treated with antibiotics through an intravenous drip. After taking antibiotics, you should feel completely better after about 2 weeks. In rare cases, a kidney infection can cause further problems. These include blood poisoning ( sepsis ) and a build-up of pus in the kidney called an abscess. Read more about treating a kidney infection and the complications of a kidney infection What causes a kidney infection? A kidney infection usually happens when bacteriaoften a type calledE. coligets into theurethra (the tube which carries urine out of the body)and travels up through the bladderandinto the kidneys. Read more about the causes of a kidney infection Whos at risk? Kidney infections are relatively rare. Its estimated that one in every 830 people develops a kidney infection each year in the UK. They can happen at any age, but are much more common in women. In fact, women are 6 times more likely to get a kidney infection than men. This is because a womans urethra is shorter, making it easier for bacteria to reach the kidneys. Younger women are most at risk because they tend to be more sexually active, and having frequent sex increases the chances of getting a kidney infection. Younger children are also vulnerable to developing kidney infections because they may be born with an abnormality of the urinary tract or have a condition called vesico-ureteric reflux, where there is a backflow of urine from the bladder up to the kidneys. Can kidney infections be prevented? You can reduce your chances of developing a kidney infection by keeping your bladder and urethra free from bacteria. This can include drinking plenty of fluids, keeping your genitals clean and treating any constipation. Read more about preventing akidney infection Symptoms of kidney infections The symptoms of a kidney infection usually develop quite quickly over a few hours or days. Common symptomsinclude: pain and discomfort in your side, lower backor around your genitals high temperature (it may reach 39.5C or 103.1F) shivering or chills feeling very weak or tired loss of appetite feeling sick or being sick diarrhoea You may have other symptomsif you also have cystitis or urethritis(an infection of the urethra). These additional symptoms may include: pain or a burning sensation during urination need to urinate frequently or urgently feeling that youre unable to urinate fully blood in yoururine cloudy or foul smelling urine pain in your lower abdomen Children Children with a kidney infection may also have additional symptoms, such as: a lack of energy irritability poor feeding and/or vomiting not growing at the expected rate abdominal pain jaundice(yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes) blood in the urine unpleasant smelling urine bedwetting When to seek medical advice Contact your GP if you have a high temperature, persistent pain, or if you notice a change to your usual pattern of urination. Contact your GP immediately if you think your child may have a kidney infection. If you have blood in your urine, you should always see your GP so the cause can be investigated. Kidney infections require prompt treatment with antibiotics to help relieve symptoms and prevent complications developing . Your GP can carry out some simple tests to help diagnose a kidney infection. See diagnosing kidney infections for more information Causes of kidney infections A kidney infection happens when bacteria infects your kidneys. The bacteria are usually a type called E. coli, which live in your bowel. The bacteriaget inthrough the opening of the urethraand move upwards through your urinary tract, first infecting your bladder and then your kidneys. Its thought the bacteria can get into your urinary tract byaccidentally spreading from your anus to your urethra. This can happen if you wipe your bottom after going to the toilet and the soiled toilet paper comes into contact with your genitals. It can also happen during sex. In rare cases, a kidney infection can develop if bacteria or fungi infect the skin and the infection spreads through your bloodstream into your kidney. However, this type of infection usually only occurs in people with weakened immune systems. Whos most likely to get a kidney infection? Women and children are most at risk of developing a kidney infection, as well as other urinary tract infections (UTIs) such as cystitis . In women, the urethra is closer to the anus than in men, making it easier for bacteria from the anus toenter the urethra accidentally. The female urethra is also much shorter than the male urethra (which runs through the penis). This makes it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder and move into the kidneys. Otherfactors can also put you more at risk of developing a kidney infection, including: having a condition that blocks, or obstructs, your urinary tract, such as kidney stones or an enlarged prostate  children with constipation can also be at an increased risk being born with an abnormality in your urinary tract having a condition that prevents you emptying your bladder fully, such as an injury to your spinal cord this can allow bacteria in your bladder to multiply and spread having a weakened immune system  for example, due to type 2 diabetes or as a side effect of chemotherapy having an infection of the prostate gland called prostatitisthe infection can spread from the prostate gland into the kidneys having aurinary catheter (a thin, flexible tube inserted into your bladder to drain away urine) being female and sexually active sexual intercourse can irritate the urethra and allow bacteria to travel into your bladder being a man who has anal sex bacteria can travel up the urethra into the bladder being pregnant this can cause physical changes that slow the flow of urine out of your body and make it easier for bacteria to spread to the kidneys having undergonefemale genital mutilation (FGM) an illegal practice where awomans genitalsare deliberately cut or changed for cultural, religious and social reasons Diagnosing kidney infections To work out if you have a kidney infection, your GP will ask you about your symptoms and your recent medical history. They will usually also assess your general health by taking your temperature and measuring your blood pressure. Urine test A urine test can help to establishwhether you have a urinary tract infection (UTI) . The test involves taking a small sample of urine and checking it to see ifthere areany bacteria in it. Youll be given a container and told how to collect the urine, which you can do in the surgery or at home. If you do it at home, youll need to label the container, seal it in a plastic bag and store it in the fridge. Ideally, hand it in tothe surgery within four hours. Aurine test canttellwhether the infection ifyou have one is in your kidneys or another part of your urinary system, such as your bladder. For your GP to be confident you have a kidney infection, you need to have a positive urine test pluscertain symptoms, such as a fever or a pain in your side. Hospital scans You may be referred to hospital for further testing if: your symptoms fail to respond to treatment with antibiotics your symptoms suddenly get worse you have additional symptoms that arent usually associated with a kidney infection youreat risk of complications of a kidney infection Children with recurrent UTIs will also be referred to hospital for further testing. In these circumstances,scans can check your urinary tract for signs of problems. This may include: a computer tomography (CT) scan  wherea scanner takes a series of X-rays and a computer is used to assemble them into a detailed image ofyour urinary tract an ultrasound scan  which uses sound waves to buildan image of the inside of your body an isotope scan  wherea dye is injected into the bloodstream and a series of X-rays are taken Read more about treating a kidney infection Treating kidney infections Most people with a kidney infection can be treated at home with a course of antibiotics, and possibly painkillers as well. See your GP if you have a fever and persistent tummy, lower back or genital pain, or if you notice a change to your usual pattern of urination. All children with symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) or kidney infection, including cystitis , should see their GP or out-of-hours emergency service. Medication Antibiotics If youre being treated at home, youll usually be prescribed a course of antibiotic tablets or capsules that lasts between 7 and 14 days. For most peopleapart from pregnant women antibiotics called ciprofloxacinorCo-amoxiclavare recommended. However, other antibiotics may also be used. Common side effects of ciprofloxacin include feeling sick and diarrhoea . Co-amoxiclavcan make the contraceptive pill and contraceptive patches less effective, so you may need to use another form of contraception during the course of treatment. A 14-day course of an antibiotic called cefalexin is recommended for pregnant women. Usually, youll start to feel betterquite soon aftertreatment starts and you should feel completely better after about2 weeks. If your symptoms show no sign of improvement24 hours after treatment starts, contact your GP for advice. Painkillers Takinga painkiller such as paracetamol should help relieve symptoms of pain and a high temperature. However, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen arent usually recommended to relieve pain during a kidney infection. This is because theymay increase the risk of further kidney problems. Self-help tips If you havea kidney infection, try not to hover over the toilet seat when you go to the loo, because it can result inyour bladder not being fully emptied. Its alsoimportant to drink plenty of fluids, because this will help prevent dehydration and will help to flush out the bacteria from your kidneys. Aim to drink enough so that youre frequently passing pale-coloured urine. Make sure that you get plenty of rest. A kidney infection can be physically draining, evenif youre normally healthy and strong. It may take up to two weeks before youre fit enough to return to work. Treatment at hospital Your GP may refer you to hospital if you have an underlying problem with your urinary tract, which makes you vulnerable to kidney infections. Its standard practice to further investigate all men with a kidney infection simply because the condition is much rarer in men. Only women who have had 2 or more kidney infections tend to be referred.Most children with a kidney infection will be treated in hospital. Hospital treatment may also be neededif: youre severely dehydrated youre unable to swallow or keep down any fluids or medications you have additional symptoms that suggest you may have blood poisoning , such as a rapid heartbeat and losing consciousness youre pregnant and you also have a high temperature youre particularly frail andyour general health is poor your symptoms fail to improve within 24 hours of starting treatment with antibiotics you have a weakened immune system you have a foreign body inside your urinary tract, such as a kidney stone or a urinary catheter you have diabetes youre over the age of 65 you have an underlying condition that affects theway yourkidneys work, such aspolycystic kidney disease or chronic kidney disease If youre admitted to hospital with a kidney infection, youll probably be attached to a drip soyou can be given fluids to help keep you hydrated. Antibiotics can also begiven through the drip. Youll have regular blood and urine tests to monitor your health and how effectively the antibioticsare fighting off the infection. Most people respond well to treatment. As long as there areno complications, theyre usually well enough to leave hospital within three to seven days.Treatment will usually switch to tablets or capsules after you stop receivingantibiotics through a drip. Complications of kidney infections Most kidney infections are treated successfully without complications, although some people may develop further problems. Complications of a kidney infection are rare, but youre more likely todevelop them if you: are a child areover 65 are pregnant have diabetes , chronic kidney disease or sickle cell anaemia have had a kidney transplant (particularly in the first three months after the transplant) havea weakened immune system developed the kidney infection while in hospital Kidney abscess A kidneyabscess isa rare, but serious, complication of a kidney infection, where pus develops inside the tissue of the kidney. Yourethought to be most at risk of developing a kidney abscess if you have diabetes . The symptoms of a kidney abscess are similar to those of a kidney infection. The most common are: a high temperature of 38C (100.4F) or above chills abdominal pain loss of appetite pain when passing urine Kidney abscesses are potentially serious because the bacteria inside the abscess can spread to other parts ofyour body, such asyour bloodstream or lungs, and can be fatal. Smaller abscesses can usually be treated with antibiotics through a drip. Surgery is usually required for larger abscesses. This involves drainingthe pus out of the abscess using a needle thats inserted into the kidney. Blood poisoning Blood poisoning (also called sepsis) is another rare, but potentially fatal, complication of a kidney infection.It happens when bacteria spreads from the kidneys into the bloodstream. Once bacteria arein your blood, the infection can spread to any part of your body, including all of the major organs. Insomeone with a kidney infection, thesymptoms of blood poisoning include: low blood pressure , which makes you feel dizzy when you stand up confusion or disorientation excessive sweating uncontrollable shaking or shivering high temperature or lower body temperature than usual (under 36C, or 96.8F) pale skin rapid heartbeat breathlessness Blood poisoningis a medical emergency that usually requires admission to a hospitalintensive care unit (ICU) while antibiotics are used to fight the infection. If youre taking certain medications for diabetes, such as metformin or angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, they may be temporarily withdrawn until you recover. This is because they can cause kidney damage during an episode of blood poisoning. Severe infection Another rare, but potentially fatal, complication of a kidney infection is a condition called emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN). EPN is a severe infection, where the tissues of the kidneys are rapidly destroyed and the bacteria causingthe infection begin to release a toxic gas, which builds up inside the kidneys. The exact cause of EPN is unclear, but almost all casesare in people with diabetes. The usual treatment is emergency surgery to remove some, or all, of the affected kidney. Its possible to livea full and active lifewith only one kidney. Kidney failure In very rare cases, a kidney infection can cause severe kidney damage that results in kidney failure. This is when the kidneys stop working properly. Kidney failure is potentially fatal, but it can be treated with dialysis or a kidney transplant. Other problems A kidney infection can also cause other complications, including high blood pressure (hypertension) or premature labour or birth. Preventing kidney infections The best way to prevent a kidney infection is to keep your bladder and urethra free from bacteria. These self-help tips explain howyou can do this. Drink plenty of liquids Drinking plenty of liquids, particularly water, will help to wash bacteria from your bladder and urinary tract. Drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry extracts may also help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) .However, you shouldavoid cranberry juice or extracts if youre taking warfarin , a medicine used to prevent blood clots.Cranberry juice can make the effects of warfarin more potent, so theres a risk of excessive bleeding. Toilet tips To help keep yoururinary tractfree from bacteria: go to the toilet as soon as you feel the need to urinate, rather than holding it in wipe from front to back after going to the toilet practice good hygiene by washing your genitals every day and before having sex empty your bladder after having sex if youre a woman,avoid hovering over a toilet seat as this position can often leave urine behind in the bladder Treat constipation Constipation can increase your chances of developing a urinary tract infection(UTI), sotry totreatany constipationpromptly. Recommended treatments for constipationinclude: increasing the amount of fibre in your diet to 20g to 30g of fibre a day using a mild laxative on a short-term basis drinking plenty of fluids Seeyour GP if your symptoms dont improve after 14 days (or 7 days for children with constipation). Read moreabout treatingconstipation Be careful with contraceptives If youkeep gettingUTIs (more than 3 a yearis considered high), avoid using spermicide-coated condoms or diaphragms . This is because spermicide can stimulate the production of bacteria. Stick tolubricated condoms without spermicide,because unlubricated ones can irritate the urethra and make it more vulnerable to infection. Source: NHS 24 - Opens in new browser window Last updated: 01 December 2023 How can we improve this page? Help us improve NHS inform Thank You Your feedback has been received Dont include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions. 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