Pyelonephritis

Overview

Pyelonephritis is the inflammation of kidney which usually due to ascending urinary tract infection. This insult to the kidneys if left untreated may permanently damage the kidneys and impair the kidney function irreversibly, even causing death.

Signs and Symptoms

High-grade fever with chills and rigour, Painful back (especially at the loin), Cloudy urine, Pus or blood in the urine, Painful urination, Foul-smelling urine

Common Causes

Bacterial infection (eg: Escherichia Coli, HACEK group)

Risk Factors

Woman (has a shorter urethra), Older adults, Patients with kidney or bladder stones, Immunocompromised individuals (eg: AIDS, diabetes mellitus, cancer), Individuals with vesicoureteral reflux, Benign prostatic hyperplasia, Children with hypospadias

Investigation Techniques

Full blood count, Renal function test, Urine Full Examination and Microscopy (UFEME), Urine culture, Blood culture, X-ray KUB, Ultrasound KUB

Treatment and Prevention

Antibiotics (Ciprofloxacin, Ceftriaxone, Cefuroxime, Amoxicillin or Trimethoprim), Control the underlying risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, Take good care of the hygiene of the urinary tract.