Instead, they may show signs of confusion, muddled speech, or visions. This infection can be life threatening. It is important to seek medical care quickly if you think you have a kidney infection. Although the urinary system is designed to keep bacteria out, problems can occur.
Escherichia coli E. These bacteria can travel up into the bladder. When this happens it can cause cystitis inflammation of the bladder. It can also cause a urinary tract infection UTI. If the infection continues up to the kidneys, it can cause kidney infection. This problem is rare but it can be severe.
About 1 in every 30 cases of UTI leads to a kidney infection. You are more likely to get a kidney infection if you have frequent bladder infections or have a structural problem in the urinary tract. Urine normally flows only in one direction—from the kidneys to the bladder.
If the flow of urine is blocked or flows in the wrong direction, infections can happen. Urine flow can be blocked by many things, including:. People with diabetes or a weak immune system are at high risk for infections. Pregnant women with UTIs should be seen by their health care provider and treated as soon as possible.
A kidney infection in a pregnant woman can be very serious. Many problems in the pelvis and abdomen can cause symptoms that look like kidney infection. Your doctor will also look for problems that can cause kidney infection, such as kidney stones or birth defects.
These things can be treated to prevent future infections. Your treatment will be based on a clear diagnosis of the problem. Kidney infections are treated with antibiotics. This medicine is offered as a pill to be taken at home. If the infection is very bad, or if the patient is vomiting, then you may need to go to a hospital to get antibiotics in your vein IV. To heal the infection and stop it from returning, it is common to get two or more weeks of antibiotics.
If it does, two more weeks of medicine is offered. If it happens again, up to 6 weeks of medicine may be used. If surgery is not needed, the patient will feel much better within a few days of medicine. If the kidney infection returns more than once, a small dose of antibiotic may be used every day use to keep the kidneys healthy. Untreated infection can damage the kidneys and lead to long term problems. In rare cases, kidney infections can lead to kidney disease, high blood pressure, or kidney failure.
If kidney infection spreads to the bloodstream it can cause a serious problem called sepsis. Yes, the bacteria can be resistant to some, but it not all antibiotics.
This happens when your body responds overzealously to an infection, which can trigger widespread bodily inflammation that ultimately leads to poor blood flow, according to the NIDDK. This can make your organs fail, which, in the most extreme cases, can lead to death. And even in non-life-threatening cases, if you have a kidney infection that becomes chronic, you can wind up with permanent kidney damage.
Preventing a kidney infection is really all about preventing urinary tract infections and getting prompt treatment if you ever get one. Instead, whenever you feel a bladder infection coming on, make it a habit to drink enough water every day to stay hydrated.
The NIDDK recommends peeing as often as you get the urge, but definitely at least every three to four hours, since urine hanging out in your bladder for too long may help bacteria to grow, the organization says. This allows you to build up a forceful stream that may better help remove any bacteria that might have been pushed up there during sex.
National Library of Medicine, Sepsis. SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.
What Is a Kidney Infection? When to See a Doctor If you have signs of a kidney infection, you should see a doctor right away. How Is a Kidney Infection Diagnosed? Risk Factors for a Kidney Infection There are a few things that can up your risk factor of contracting a kidney infection, according to the Mayo Clinic , and some you have zero control over: Having a vagina. How to Prevent a Kidney Infection Preventing a kidney infection is really all about preventing urinary tract infections and getting prompt treatment if you ever get one.
Korin is a former New Yorker who now lives at the beach. She received a double B. Korin has been published in Read more. This is the most common cause of kidney infections. Bacteria from an infection elsewhere in your body also can spread through your bloodstream to your kidneys. Although it's unusual to develop a kidney infection, it can happen — for instance, if you have an artificial joint or heart valve that becomes infected.
Being female. The urethra is shorter in women than it is in men, which makes it easier for bacteria to travel from outside the body to the bladder. The nearness of the urethra to the vagina and anus also creates more opportunities for bacteria to enter the bladder.
Once in the bladder, an infection can spread to the kidneys. Pregnant women are at even higher risk of a kidney infection. Reduce your risk of kidney infection by taking steps to prevent urinary tract infections.
Women, in particular, may reduce their risk of urinary tract infections if they:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Female urinary system Open pop-up dialog box Close.
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