Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis): Symptoms & Signs

A kidney infection is one of the many different types of infection of the urinary tract. A kidney infection, sometimes referred to as pyelonephritis, is an upper urinary tract infection, in contrast to infections of the bladder and urethra, which are considered to be lower urinary tract (closer to the site of urine output) infections. A kidney infection can occur when a lower urinary tract infection spreads upward in the urinary tract to involve the kidneys.

Some of the general symptoms of urinary infection can accompany kidney infection, like painful urination (dysuria), needing to urinate frequently (urinary frequency), and feeling a strong urge to urinate (urinary urgency). With a kidney infection, patients typically experience fever and flank or low to mid-back pain and tenderness. Shaking, chills, malaise, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting can accompany kidney infection as well. Cloudy urine or urine odor may also be present.

In more severe cases, or in elderly patients, symptoms can include low blood pressure, dehydration, rapid heart rate, and confusion.

Causes of kidney infection

Kidney infection is typically caused by a bacterial infection of the urinary tract. The bacteria gain access to the urinary tract from outside through the urethra (the drainage tube for urine from the bladder). Many kinds of bacteria can cause kidney infection, but the most common cause is Escherichia coli (E. coli). Other kinds of bacteria that can cause kidney infection include Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Citrobacter, certain types of Staphylococcus, and Proteus mirabilis.

Other kidney infection symptoms and signs

• Abdominal Pain
• Blood in Urine
• Chills
• Cloudy Urine
• Confusion
• Dehydration
• Dysuria
• Fever
• Flank Pain
• Flank Tenderness
• Low Back Pain
• Low Blood Pressure
• Malaise
• Mid Back Pain
• Nausea
• Rapid Heart Rate
• Urinary Frequency
• Urinary Urgency
• Urine Odor
• Vomiting

Fulop, Tibor. "Acute Pyelonephritis." Medscape.com. Sept. 8, 2016. <http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/245559-overview>.

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