Kidney Infection - Medtick

Kidney Infection

What is it?

When the urinary tract (urethra) gets infected by bacteria (Bladder infection) usually from:

  • The rectum
  • Vagina

Our immune system can usually stop  the bacteria but at times the bacteria travels upwards along the ureters towards kidneys, here it can multiply into a full-blown infection and one has more severe symptoms.

Do not wait, get treatment if one has a weak immune condition

Females have a much higher risk of  kidney infections compared to males because:

  • Female have a shorter urethra, which allows bacteria to reach and infect the bladder far more easily.
  • Opening to the urethra in females is significantly closer to the rectum, where Urinary tract infection -causing bacteria are known to settle and grow.
  • Males have prostate fluids and semen which is believe to help against infections.
  • Patients who are have increased complications of this infection are:

Regular urine infections can lead to the following risk factors:

  • Outflow obstruction to benign prostate  hyperplasia (prostate gland is enlarged and not cancerous)
  • Urethral strictures (scarring that narrows the tube that carries urine out of the body, called the urethra leading to les urine output)
  • Lack of nerve control on the bladder (leading to poor urine outflow and urinary retention)
  • Oestrogen depletion
  • Urine and/or faecal incontinence (going to the toilet more often than usual)
  • Urine catheterization (need of a catheter)
Do not wait, If one has flank pain, new or different muscle pains or flu-like symptoms, fever, nausea, or vomiting, please see your medical Doctor urgently and rule out pyelonephritis or if one has severe symptoms below.

Cause

  • Bacteria:
    • E.Coli (living in colon),
    • Staphylococcus saprophyticus (naturally found in the vagina)
  • Any condition where one does not fully empty their bladder and/or hold urine in and/or blockage of urine flow.
  • Bacteria from anus to genital region via wiping and sexual activity
  • Uncircumcised men may harbour harmful bacteria under the foreskin.
  • Sexual intercourse
  • Using external perfumed/soaps/washes (bacteria a chance to invade)
  • Spermicidal lubricants can trigger genital inflammation
  • Diaphragms can promote the growth of coliform bacteria like E. coli.
  • Cystitis
  • Thrush
  • Skin infection (rare)
  • Pregnancy
  • Alzheimer’s and Dementia (affect personal hygiene and changes in acidity can affect the condition)
  • Diabetes (increase urine glucose that bacteria feed on)
  • Any condition that prevent bladder from emptying fully
  • Bowel conditions and diseases
  • Bowel incontinence
  • Enlarged prostate gland
  • Kidney stones
  • Posterior urethral valves (common cause of urinary tract obstruction in new born males)
  • Menopause (alter the protective flora in the vagina)
  • Weak immune system condition

Treatments

  • Catheters and/or surgical equipment (infection due to non-sterile or prolonged use)

Medication

Symptoms

  • Increased urge to urinate (urinary urgency)?
  • Need to get up at night to urinate (nocturia)?
  • Inability to hold your urine (urinary incontinence)?
  • Passing frequent, small amounts of urine?
  • Blood in urine?
  • Pain when urinating?
  • Burning sensation during urinating?
  • Cloudy and smelly urine?
  • Feel to urinate more than they want to?
  • High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72 hours?
  • Pain in the back or side (or moving pain from back to side) or in groin area?
  • Flank pain (pain that’s usually deep and high in the back or sides)?
  • Abdominal pain and/or are constant violently vomiting or vomiting longer than two days (one day if a child)?
  • If sexually active: Painful sexual intercourse (especially in non-menopausal females)?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

  • Sepsis
  • Liver disease (particularly children)
  • Meningitis (particularly babies)
  • Encephalitis- type symptoms (particularly in dementia/Alzheimer and/or elderly patients)
  • Increased heart rate/palpitations
  • Hypothermia
  • Breathing difficulties/shortness of breath
  • High temperature greater than 40°C (104°F) or over and/or severe chills and/or  sweating heavily
  • Extreme anxiety and aggression
  • Kidney abscess (particularly if you are diabetic):
    • High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats
    • Severe Abdominal pain and/or back pain
    • Constant violently vomiting and/or or vomiting longer than two days (one day if a child)
    • Loss of appetite
    • Pain when passing urine
  • Gas mixed with urine (bubbles in urine) as well as the above kidney symptoms (Emphysematous cystitis) – common in diabetics.
  • Kidney failure – (Xanthogranulmatous pylonephritis)

This condition can lead to:


This condition may show similar symptoms to:

  • Balantidiasis
  • Cystinuria
  • Dense deposit disease (DDD) and/or C3 Glomerulopathy
  • Fowlers Syndrome
  • Posterior urethral valves (common cause of urinary tract obstruction in newborn males)
  • Urofacial syndrome
  • Vesicoureteral reflux – flow of urine from the bladder to the upper urinary tract commonly occurs after fever with urination. It occurs mainly in young children under two years old though it can occur at any age:
    • Symptoms include:
      • Cloudy or bloody urine, which may have a foul or strong odour.
      • Low grade fever
      • Pain or burning with urination
      • Pressure or cramping in the lower abdomen or back
      • Strong need to urinate often, even right after the bladder has been emptied

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Kidney Infection in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

  • NHS

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  • Medscape

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  • Pharmaceutical Journal

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  • Medical News Today

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  • WebMD

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  • Cleveland Clinic

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  • Drugs.com

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  • National Organisation of Rare Diseases

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  • Verywell Health

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