Jordan Ellis
Kidney infections are serious and can lead to complications. They are usually treated with antibiotics, which in severe cases may be administered intravenously in a hospital. While many kidney infections can be treated at home with oral antibiotics, hospitalization may be required for complicated cases, particularly in older people, immunocompromised people, pregnant people, or those with medical conditions like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or cancer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to go to the hospital | If there are signs of acute renal failure or sepsis, or if you have a severe kidney infection |
| Treatment at the hospital | Antibiotics and fluids through an intravenous (IV) injection or infusion |
| Who is at risk of kidney infections | People with underlying problems, immunocompromised people, pregnant people, older people, and people with medical conditions like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or cancer |
| Treatment at home | A course of oral antibiotics and paracetamol if needed |
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What You'll Learn
Kidney infections are a type of UTI
Kidney infections, also known as pyelonephritis, are a type of urinary tract infection (UTI). They are usually caused by bacteria, with around 90% of cases being attributed to Escherichia coli (E. coli). However, other bacteria, such as Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, can also be responsible. In rare cases, viruses can cause kidney infections, but this is uncommon in otherwise healthy individuals.
UTIs typically affect the urethra or bladder, but if the infection spreads to the kidneys, it can become more severe. Kidney infections occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract and travel upwards to the kidneys. They are often preceded by cystitis, another type of UTI, but this is not always the case. Certain individuals, such as those with kidney stones, underlying health conditions, or a weakened immune system, may be more susceptible to kidney infections. Additionally, UTIs and kidney infections are more prevalent in women than in men.
The symptoms of a kidney infection tend to develop rapidly and can include fever, difficulty urinating, lower back pain, and pain during urination. Unlike lower UTIs, kidney infections are more likely to cause a sudden fever, lower back pain, and a general feeling of sickness. In some cases, individuals may experience urgent and frequent urination, with urine that is cloudy, foul-smelling, or bloody.
The treatment for kidney infections typically involves antibiotics, and in severe cases, hospitalization may be required. Hospitalized patients usually receive intravenous (IV) fluids and antibiotics, and the choice of antibiotics depends on the severity of the infection and the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. For uncomplicated kidney infections, oral antibiotics can often be prescribed, and patients can recover at home. However, it is important to seek timely medical attention to prevent potential complications and the development of severe infections that may require hospitalization.
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Most cases require hospital treatment
Kidney infections are a serious complication of a common urinary tract infection (UTI). If left untreated, kidney infections can lead to poor kidney function and, in some cases, sepsis. Therefore, timely care is required.
Most cases of kidney infection require hospital treatment. This is because, in addition to antibiotics, patients will need to be given fluids intravenously (IV) to stay hydrated. Antibiotics can also be administered through the IV drip. In hospital, patients will have regular blood and urine tests to monitor their health and the effectiveness of the antibiotics. Typically, patients will be well enough to leave the hospital in 3 to 7 days.
However, uncomplicated kidney infections can usually be treated at home with a course of antibiotics. This is usually a 7- to 14-day course of oral antibiotics, and most people start to feel better soon after treatment starts. If you are being treated at home, it is important to take the antibiotics as prescribed and finish the course.
Hospitalisation may be required for vulnerable people, including immunocompromised people, pregnant people, and people with uncontrolled diabetes, kidney transplants, urinary tract abnormalities, and hospital-acquired bacterial infections. People with acute renal failure or sepsis will also need to be hospitalised.
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Complicated cases need inpatient care
Kidney infections are a serious complication of a common urinary tract infection (UTI). They can be physically draining and require timely care to prevent complications. In most cases, a kidney infection can be treated at home with a course of antibiotics and rest. However, complicated acute pyelonephritis may require inpatient care in a hospital.
Complicated acute pyelonephritis often affects vulnerable individuals, including those who:
- Are immunocompromised
- Are pregnant
- Have uncontrolled diabetes
- Have undergone kidney transplants
- Have urinary tract abnormalities
- Have hospital-acquired bacterial infections
Inpatient care may also be necessary if there are signs of acute renal failure or sepsis, which can lead to organ failure and death. Certain people with pyelonephritis may need to be hospitalized even if their symptoms do not seem critical due to their high risk of complications. For example, older individuals or those with underlying conditions may take longer to recover and may require inpatient care.
If hospitalized, individuals with kidney infections will likely receive antibiotics and fluids through an intravenous (IV) injection or infusion. They will also undergo regular blood and urine tests to monitor their health and the effectiveness of the antibiotics in fighting the infection.
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Kidney infections can cause serious complications
Kidney infections, also known as pyelonephritis, are a type of urinary tract infection (UTI) that can have serious complications if not treated promptly. The infection typically starts in the tube that carries urine from the body (urethra) or the bladder and then moves up to one or both kidneys. While many cases can be treated at home with oral antibiotics, severe infections may require hospitalisation, especially if there are signs of acute renal failure or sepsis.
People with acute pyelonephritis may need to be hospitalised even if their symptoms do not seem critical, as the risk of complications is high. Hospitalisation is usually recommended for older people, immunocompromised individuals, pregnant people, or those with medical conditions like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or cancer. During hospitalisation, treatment involves IV fluids and antibiotics, with regular blood and urine tests to monitor health and the effectiveness of the antibiotics.
Kidney infections can cause potentially life-threatening complications, including:
- Pyonephrosis: a serious infection that causes a buildup of pus in the centre of a kidney, causing it to swell.
- Renal vein thrombosis: a rare condition where a blood clot forms in the renal vein that transports blood from the kidneys to the heart.
- Papillary necrosis: the death of the tiny tubules inside the kidneys that direct urine to the ureters.
- Acute renal failure: the abrupt and potentially life-threatening loss of kidney function.
In rare cases, kidney infections can also lead to sepsis or blood poisoning, which occurs when bacteria spread from the kidneys into the bloodstream. Sepsis can cause organ failure and death within 12 hours if left untreated. Additionally, a kidney abscess is a rare but serious complication where pus develops inside the kidney tissue, which can spread to other parts of the body and become fatal.
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Antibiotics are used for treatment
Kidney infections, also known as pyelonephritis, are serious and require timely care. They are usually treated with antibiotics and painkillers. If the kidney was previously healthy, a full recovery is likely.
In addition to antibiotics, painkillers such as paracetamol can be taken to ease pain and reduce fever. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen are not usually recommended as they may cause problems with kidney function during an infection. Staying hydrated is also important, and plenty of fluids should be consumed.
For uncomplicated kidney infections, a short course of oral antibiotics for 5 to 14 days is usually sufficient for treatment at home. However, for complicated acute pyelonephritis, hospitalization may be required, especially for vulnerable individuals, including immunocompromised people, pregnant people, and those with uncontrolled diabetes, kidney transplants, or other medical conditions. Inpatient care involves antibiotics and fluids administered intravenously, along with regular blood and urine tests to monitor the patient's health and the effectiveness of the antibiotics.
With timely antibiotic treatment, the outlook for people with kidney infections is generally good. However, certain factors, such as delayed treatment, can increase the risk of serious complications, including sepsis and kidney damage. Therefore, it is important to seek immediate medical attention and start treatment early to prevent potentially life-threatening complications.
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Frequently asked questions
No, uncomplicated kidney infections can usually be treated at home with a course of antibiotics. However, complicated acute pyelonephritis may require hospitalization, especially in older people, immunocompromised people, pregnant people, or those with medical conditions like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or cancer.
Symptoms of a kidney infection include fever, pain in the tummy, lower back or genitals, nausea and vomiting, abdominal cramping, and frequent urination.
If you are admitted to a hospital with a kidney infection, you will likely be given fluids and antibiotics through an intravenous (IV) injection or infusion. You will also have regular blood and urine tests to monitor your health and the effectiveness of the antibiotics.
