Kidney infection
Kidney Infection
Kidney infection, also known as pyelonephritis (pronounced pie-low-nef-ri-tis), is a type of urinary tract infection (UTI) that generally begins in your urethra or bladder and travels to one or both of your kidneys.
Etymology
The term "pyelonephritis" is derived from the Greek words "pyelo" (pelvis), "nephros" (kidney), and "itis" (inflammation).
Symptoms
Common symptoms of a kidney infection include:
Causes
Kidney infections are often caused by bacteria that have entered the urinary tract, typically through the urethra, and then traveled up to the kidneys. The most common type of bacteria that causes kidney infections is Escherichia coli (E. coli), which is normally found in the intestines.
Treatment
Treatment for kidney infections typically involves antibiotics. In severe cases, hospitalization may be required. It's important to complete the full course of antibiotics prescribed by your doctor, even if you feel better before you have taken all the medication.
Prevention
Prevention of kidney infections involves reducing the risk of urinary tract infections by drinking plenty of fluids, urinating as soon as the need arises, and, for women, urinating immediately after sexual intercourse.
Related Terms
- Cystitis: Inflammation of the bladder, often from a urinary tract infection.
- Urethritis: Inflammation of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body.
- Nephritis: Inflammation of the kidneys. It can be caused by infections, toxins, or autoimmune diseases.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Kidney infection
- Wikipedia's article - Kidney infection
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