Kidney infection or pyelonephritis is an infection of the kidneys, which can cause symptoms in the form of the appearance of blood or pus in the urine. Kidney infection often occur due to a previous bladder infection.
Kidney infections are more at risk in women than men. In addition, pre-existing urinary tract disorders also make a person more susceptible to kidney infections. To treat a kidney infection, hospitalization is generally not required, unless the patient is a child, is dehydrated, or has sepsis.
Symptoms of Kidney Infection
Symptoms of kidney infection usually appear two days after infection occurs. The following are symptoms that appear in patients with kidney infections:
- Presence of blood or pus in the urine
- Unusual urine smell
- Back pain or lower back pain
- Fever
- Shivering
- Weak
- No appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
Symptoms of a kidney infection may also be accompanied by other symptoms of a urinary tract infection, such as a painful or burning sensation when urinating, more frequent urination, or difficulty urinating.
Elderly and children who have kidney infections sometimes do not show clear symptoms. In the elderly, kidney infection can cause disturbances of consciousness, such as looking confused and slurred speech. While in children, this condition can make children fussy and wet the bed.
When hcurrent to dokter
Immediately see a doctor if you experience symptoms of a urinary tract infection, such as pain and burning when urinating, and your urine looks cloudy or reddish in color. Untreated urinary tract infections can develop into kidney infections.
Do a re-examination to the doctor urinary tract infection has been treated but the condition does not improve.
Kidney infections that are not treated properly can develop into sepsis which can be life threatening. See a doctor immediately if symptoms of sepsis appear, such as palpitations, shortness of breath, or impaired consciousness.
Urinary catheter users are also at risk for kidney infections, especially if the catheter still needs to be inserted after returning home. Do regular check-ups with your doctor to anticipate the risk of kidney infection.
Causes of Kidney Infection
Most kidney infections are caused by bacterial infections. In addition to bacteria, kidney infections can also be caused by viral or fungal infections, although both are rare.
Bacteria that cause kidney infections usually come from the digestive tract that comes out with feces, then enters the urinary tract and multiplies in the bladder, then spreads to the kidneys.
Usually the bacteria that entered earlier will be wasted with the urine, so there is no infection. However, under certain conditions, these bacteria will multiply in the urinary tract, and eventually spread to the kidneys.
Risk factors for kidney infection
There are several factors that can increase the risk of urinary tract infections, including kidney infections, namely:
- Female gender.
- Sexually active. Sexual activity can irritate the urinary tract and make it easier for bacteria to enter the bladder.
- Have anal sex. This sexual behavior makes it easier for bacteria in the anus to enter the urinary tract.
- Pregnancy, because the flow of urine becomes slower due to physical changes during pregnancy, so bacteria can easily spread to the kidneys.
- Urinary tract deformity.
- Urinary tract obstruction, for example due to prostate swelling.
- Frequent constipation, especially in children.
- Have a weak immune system, for example due to HIV/AIDS or the side effects of chemotherapy drugs.
- Suffering from prostatitis, which is an infection of the prostate gland that can spread to the kidneys.
- Nerve damage around the bladder. This condition makes the sufferer not aware that he has a urinary tract infection, until the infection spreads to the kidneys.
- Suffering from a disease that makes it difficult to urinate (urinary retention), for example multiple sclerosis or spina bifida.
Some medical procedures can also increase the risk of kidney infection, especially medical procedures that insert certain instruments into the urinary tract, such as a cystoscopy. In addition, the use of a urinary catheter for the long term can also increase the risk of kidney infection.
Kidney Infection Diagnosis
To diagnose a kidney infection, the doctor will ask the patient's symptoms and medical history. In addition, the doctor will perform a physical examination, including checking the patient's body temperature and blood pressure. After that, the doctor can perform a supporting examination consisting of:
urine test
The doctor will take a urine sample for examination in the laboratory. Examination of urine samples is done to detect infections in the kidneys and urinary tract, as well as to determine the type of bacteria that causes infection.
Scan
Scanning the urinary tract with CT scans and ultrasound aims to detect health problems in the kidney organs. Through the scan, the doctor can find out how severe the patient's kidney infection is.
Kidney Infection Treatment
The main treatment for kidney infections is the administration of antibiotics. Antibiotics that are generally given are: ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin. Especially for pregnant women, the antibiotics given are: cephalexin.
To relieve pain and fever, the doctor will usually give paracetamol. In addition, so that recovery can take place properly and quickly, do the following things at home:
- Drink plenty of water to get rid of bacteria from the kidneys, and to prevent dehydration.
- Use a warm pillow on your stomach, back, or waist to reduce pain.
- Especially for female patients, do not urinate in a squatting position, but in a sitting position on the toilet, so that bladder emptying is better.
- Enough rest.
Inpatient in the hospital
Sometimes a stay in the hospital is required to treat a kidney infection. Your doctor will recommend hospitalization if:
- Kidney infections occur in children.
- Kidney infection is very severe and requires intravenous antibiotics.
- Kidney infection reappears (relapses).
- Kidney infections occur in men, because this condition is rare in men. A hospital examination is necessary to determine the cause of the infection.
In addition to the above conditions, hospitalization may be required if:
- The condition does not improve within one day after taking antibiotics.
- Unable to swallow food, drink, and medicine.
- Experiencing dehydration.
- Are pregnant and have a fever above 39⁰C.
- The age of the patient is over 65 years.
- Have a chronic disease, such as diabetes, kidney disease, or liver disease.
- Experiencing severe pain in the waist or abdomen.
- Experiencing the symptoms of sepsis.
Complications adue to kidney infection
Here are some complications that can arise as a result of kidney infection:
- Kidney abscessThis condition occurs when fluid pus appears in the kidney tissue. Kidney abscess can be fatal because the bacteria or pus can spread to other parts of the body, for example to the bloodstream or lungs.
- SepsisSepsis occurs when the infection has spread to the bloodstream. This complication can be fatal because bacteria that are in the bloodstream can spread to vital organs, such as the heart, brain, and lungs.
- Kidney failureKidney failure It occurs when the kidneys cannot function normally due to damage to kidney cells. Kidney damage can be temporary or permanent.
- Complications in pregnancyPregnant women who suffer from kidney infections are at risk for dangerous complications. If left untreated, kidney infection in pregnant women can cause the baby to have a premature birth or be born with a low birth weight.
Kidney Infection Prevention
Kidney infections can be prevented by avoiding the risk factors. Ways that can be done are:
- Diligently drink water so that urine can still be produced regularly, so that bacteria in the urinary tract can be removed periodically.
- Get used to urinate after sexual intercourse, so that bacteria that enter the urinary tract can be wasted.
- Do not hold or delay urination. If you need to urinate, go to the toilet immediately.
- Do not use care or cosmetic products on the genitals, to avoid irritation that can trigger infection.
- Especially for women, clean the genitals by wiping from front to back to avoid spreading bacteria from the anus to the genitals.