Dr. Gautam Banga
MBBS, MS - General Surgery, MCh - UrologyA kidney infection, medically called pyelonephritis, is a urinary tract infection that affects one or both kidneys. It often develops when bacteria travel upward from the bladder. Unlike a localised bladder infection, a kidney infection can cause systemic symptoms such as fever, chills, back or side pain, nausea, and vomiting and requires prompt medical treatment.
A kidney infection is a type of systemic UTI involving the upper urinary tract. It commonly occurs when bacteria from a lower urinary infection travel upward through the ureters and reach the kidneys.
Common symptoms can include:
A kidney infection is more serious than a typical localised bladder infection. The EAU recommends urine testing and urine culture with antimicrobial susceptibility testing for suspected pyelonephritis. Imaging may also be required to look for urgent problems such as urinary obstruction or stones.
Treatment usually involves antibiotics. More severe infections may require hospital treatment with intravenous antibiotics and fluids. If a kidney infection occurs together with a blocked urinary tract, such as obstruction caused by a stone, restoring urine drainage may also be necessary.
Prompt treatment is important because an untreated kidney infection can potentially lead to serious complications, including kidney damage or sepsis.
At SCI International Hospital, Dr. Gautam Banga evaluates patients with symptoms suggesting kidney infection to determine the severity of the infection and whether an underlying urological problem is contributing to it. When appropriate, evaluation may include urine culture, blood tests, and imaging to identify kidney stones, urinary obstruction, or other conditions affecting urine flow.
