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Pyelonephritis is a kidney infection, usually from bacteria that have
spread from the bladder.
Possible causes of infection include the following:
- use of a catheter to drain urine from the bladder
- use of a cystoscope to examine the bladder and urethra
- surgery on the urinary tract
- conditions such as prostate enlargement and kidney stones that
prevent the efficient flow of urine from the bladder
Symptoms and signs include back, side, and groin pain; urgent, frequent
urination; pain or burning during urination; fever; nausea and vomiting;
and pus and blood in the urine.
Diagnosis is made with a urine test to identify bacteria and formations
of white blood cells, called casts, shaped like tubes in the kidneys. If
an infection cannot be easily cured, x rays might be done to look for
abnormalities in the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. A kidney infection is
treated with an appropriate antibiotic, and abnormalities may need to be
surgically treated.
An untreated or recurrent kidney infection can lead to chronic
pyelonephritis, scarring of the kidneys, and permanent kidney damage.
More information is available from
American Foundation for Urologic Disease
1128 North Charles
Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 1-800-242-2383 or (410)
468-1800
Email: admin@afud.org
Internet: http://www.afud.org/
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