Acute Pyelonephritis

What Is Acute Pyelonephritis?

Acute Pyelonephritis is an inflammation of the kidneys, caused by a bacterial infection. In some cases, it can lead to kidney failure. It is a potentially life-threatening illness that, if left untreated, can cause permanent kidney damage. People of all ages are susceptible to acute pyelonephritis.

Signs and Symptoms of Acute Pyelonephritis

The signs and symptoms of acute pyelonephritis can vary, but common symptoms include:

Fever and chills
Nausea and vomiting
Pain in the lower back, abdomen and groin
Bloody, cloudy or foul-smelling urine
Intense and frequent urge to urinate
Difficulty urinating

Causes of Acute Pyelonephritis

Pyelonephritis usually occurs when bacteria travels from the bowel and enters the skin around and inside the urethra — the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body.

Common bacteria which can cause acute pyelonephritis include:

E. Coli
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Proteus mirabilis
Staphylococcus aureus
Enterococci

Treatment for Acute Pyelonephritis

The common treatment for acute pyelonephritis is antibiotic therapy. Initial treatment is usually with intravenous antibiotics. In mild cases, oral antibiotics may be used.

Patients will also need to rest and increase their fluid intake to help the body fight off the infection.

Prevention of Acute Pyelonephritis

Some steps people can take to reduce their risk of contracting acute pyelonephritis include:

Drinking plenty of fluids to keep the urinary tract flushed out
Wiping from front to back after urinating and defecating to reduce the risk of transferring bacteria from the anus to the urethra
Maintaining good personal hygiene
Getting prompt medical care for recurrent UTIs