What to Expect When You Have Kidney Infection Signs and Symptoms
A kidney infection occurs when bacterial germs move up from the bladder to the urethras and into the kidneys. Once the germs reach the kidney area they begin to multiply and spread. There are two different types of kidney infections: Acute kidney infections and Chronic Kidney infection.
Acute kidney infection begins suddenly with severity and progresses very rapidly to resolution. Chronic kidney infection, on the other hand, progresses at a very slow rate and the severity becomes drastically worse usually ending in kidney failure. The medical term for Kidney infection is known as Pyelonephritis.
The function of the kidneys is to purify the blood by removing waste, excrete and retain water from the filtration system, and adjust the blood level of the substances in the blood itself. 90% of cases of kidney infection among people are a result of E. coli contamination usually found in the large intestine. E. Coli breaks down food to progress nutrients through the body and outside of the system.
The general treatment for kidney infection is antibiotics. Certain conditions decrease the ability and capacity of the urinary tract to ward off bacteria. These conditions include post pregnancy sex for women, cancer, diabetes, kidney stones and abnormalities that develop in the urinary tract. The insertion of Foley catheters for extended periods of time also increases the likelihood of developing kidney infections. Always contact your healthcare provider if you develop any of the kidney infection signs and symptoms.
Common Kidney Infection Signs and Symptoms
Some of the common signs include a burning sensation or pain during urination, a strong urge to urinate, a frequent urge to urinate, back, side, or groin pain or opaque urine with a strong stench. The lack of ability to urinate, fever, pain in loin area, hematuria (pus or blood in urine), nauseam abdominal pain or pressure and frequent Nocturia (urge to urinate at night) are other signs.
Severe Kidney Infection Signs and Symptoms
Confusion, extreme fatigue, chills, nausea and vomiting, night Sweats and a fever (above 38.3 degrees Celsius) are some of the signs of severe infection.
Kidney Infection Signs and Symptoms among Infants
Enuresis (abnormal bed wetting episodes), loss of appetite, irritability and loose bowel movements are common amongst babies with kidney trouble.
Kidney Infection Signs and Symptoms among the Elderly
Lack of treatment amongst geriatric patients usually leads to blood poisoning, loss of a kidney, and even death. Burning during urination, lower back, waist pain, pain concentrated in small corner of lower back and fatigue are other symptoms to watch out for.
