An infection of 1 or both kidneys is called pyelonephritis. It usually happens when bacteria (or in rare cases, viruses, fungi, or other disease-causing organisms) get into the kidneys. The bacteria (or other disease-causing organisms) can enter the kidneys from the bladder. Or they can enter through blood traveling from other parts of the body to cause pyelonephritis. A kidney infection can become serious. It can cause severe illness, scarring of the kidneys, or kidney failure if not treated correctly.
Causes of kidney infection may include:
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Not keeping the genital area clean and dry, which promotes the growth of bacteria
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Wearing tight pants or underwear, which allows moisture to build up in the genital area, helping bacteria grow
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Holding urine for long periods of time
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Fluid loss (dehydration)
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Kidney stones
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Structural problem in the urinary tract
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Frequent urinary tract infections
Kidney infections can cause symptoms similar to bladder infections. The infection can cause 1 or more of these symptoms:
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Pain or burning feeling when peeing (urinating)
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Having to pee more often than normal
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Blood in urine (pink or red)
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Belly pain or discomfort, often in the lower belly
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Pain in the side or back
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Pain above the pubic bone
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Fever or chills
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Vomiting
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Loss of appetite
Treatment is oral antibiotics. Or in more severe cases, intramuscular or IV (intravenous) antibiotics may be used. These are started right away. Treatment helps prevent a more serious kidney infection.
Medicines
Medicines can help in the treatment of kidney infection:
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Take antibiotics until they are used up, even if you feel better. It's important to finish them to make sure the infection is gone.
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Unless another medicine was given, you can use over-the-counter medicines for pain, fever, or discomfort. If you have chronic liver or kidney disease, talk with your healthcare provider before taking these medicines. Also tell your provider if you've ever had a stomach ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding, or are taking blood thinners.
Home care
These guidelines can help you care for yourself at home:
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Stay home from work or school. Rest in bed until your fever breaks and you are feeling better, or as advised by your healthcare provider.
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Drink lots of fluid unless you must restrict fluids for other medical reasons. This will force the medicine into your urinary system and help flush the bacteria out of your body. Ask your provider how much you should drink.
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Don't have sex until you have finished all of your medicine and your symptoms are gone.
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Don't have caffeine, alcohol, or spicy foods. These may irritate the kidneys and bladder.
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Wear loose-fitting clothes and cotton underwear.
Prevention
These self-care steps can help prevent future infections:
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Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and flush out the bladder. Do this unless you must restrict your fluids for other health reasons, or your healthcare provider told you not to.
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Wash your hands with soap and clean, running water after using the bathroom.
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Clean your penis regularly. If you aren't circumcised, pull back the foreskin when cleaning.
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Pee more often. Don't try to hold urine in for a long time.
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Don't wear tight-fitting pants or underwear.
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Improve your diet and prevent constipation. Eat more fresh fruit, vegetables, and fiber. Eat less junk and fatty foods. Constipation can increase your chance of getting a urinary tract infection. Talk with your healthcare provider if you have trouble with bowel movements.
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Pee right after sex to flush out the bladder.
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Don't practice high-risk sexual behaviors.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your healthcare provider, or as advised. You may need more testing to make sure the infection is getting better. Close follow-up and more testing are very important to find the cause and to prevent future infections.
If a urine culture was done, you will be told if your treatment needs to be changed. If directed, you can call to find out the results.
If you had an X-ray, CT scan, or another diagnostic test, you will be told of any new findings that may affect your care.
Call 911
Call
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Trouble breathing
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Fainting or loss of consciousness
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Fast or very slow heart rate
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Weakness, dizziness, or fainting
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Trouble waking up or confusion
When to get medical care
Call your healthcare provider right away if any of the following occur:
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Fever of 100.4ºF (38ºC) or higher, or as advised by your provider
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Not feeling better within 1 to 2 days after starting antibiotics
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Any symptom that continues after 3 days of treatment
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Increasing pain in the stomach, back, side, or groin area
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Repeated vomiting
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Not able to take prescribed medicine due to upset stomach (nausea) or another reason
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Bloody, dark-colored, or bad-smelling urine
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Trouble peeing or decreased urine output
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No urine for 8 hours, no tears when crying, sunken eyes, or dry mouth
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New symptoms or symptoms get worse
