Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis)?

Definition & Facts
Kidney infection is a type of urinary tract infection (UTI) that commonly begins in your bladder and moves upstream to one or both of your kidneys. In rare cases, kidney infections can lead to serious health problems, but quick treatment prevents most complications.

Symptoms & Causes
Symptoms of kidney infection can vary depending on your age and may include chills, fever, and painful urination. A kidney infection is caused by bacteria or viruses that infect your bladder and move upstream to infect one or both of your kidneys.

Diagnosis
Health care professionals use your medical history, a physical exam, and tests to diagnose kidney infection. Depending on your age, sex, and response to treatment, they will use certain tests to diagnose kidney infection.

Treatment
Doctors may treat your kidney infection by prescribing antibiotics. Make sure to take all of your medicine, even if you start to feel better.

Eating, Diet, & Nutrition
If you have a kidney infection, drink lots of liquids to help flush bacteria from your urinary tract. If you have kidney failure, you should not drink this much liquid. Talk with your health care professional about how much liquid is right for you.

Clinical Trials
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and other components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conduct and support research into many diseases and conditions.