Bladder infections are the result of bacteria traveling up through the urethra and colonizing the bladder. If not properly treated, a bladder infection can ascend into the kidneys, resulting in a condition known a pyelonephritis. These bacterial kidney infections are more serious than bladder infections and can result in permanent kidney damage.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a urinary tract infection that has spread to the kidneys, according to the Mayo Clinic, often include pain in the abdomen, groin, back or flank regions of the body. Patients also can feel the need to urinate more frequently and may have sensations of urgency. Urination is often painful in patients with pyelonephritis, and the urine may contain blood or pus. A fever is another symptom of a kidney infection.
Risk Factors
A number of things can predispose people to developing pyelonephritis. Women, the Mayo Clinic explains, are prone to urinary tract infections because they have a shorter urethra. A weakened immune system and damaged nerves around the bladder can also increase the risk of developing a urinary tract infection that spreads to the kidneys. Any blockages or abnormalities in the urinary tract can also increase a person's chance of developing pyelonephritis.
Diagnosis
A fever and pain in the upper back or flank often cause doctors to suspect kidney infection. Analysis of the urine is often done to look for bacteria and tubular structures called casts, which are formed by white blood cells, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Patients with recurring kidney infections may need imaging studies to look for any malformations in their urinary system.
Treatment
Treatment of pyelonephritis, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, involves treatment with antibiotics. Often, antibiotic therapy is needed for several weeks to ensure that all of the bacteria have been eradicated. Patients with severe kidney infection may need to be hospitalized and given antibiotics intravenously. Medications can also be prescribed for relief of the pain that a kidney infection can cause.
Complications
Kidney infections that go untreated can cause permanent kidney damage. The American Urological Association notes that kidney infections can also lead to the formation of a kidney abscess, which is the result of pus formation that accumulates due to a prolonged kidney infection. Severe infections can also spread to the bloodstream, leading to a dangerous condition known as sepsis.
