Kidney infection Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Kidney infection, or medically called pyelonephritis, is a type of urinary tract infection that often occurs.
Normally, the urinary tract actually has a way of surviving infection, namely by releasing urine periodically. The process of removing urine will rinse the kidneys and bladder so that there are no infecting germs. However, if the number of germs is too much or the process of removing urine is disturbed, this can cause a kidney infection.
Symptom
Symptoms of a kidney infection include:
- High fever, often accompanied by chills
- Pain or a feeling of soreness in the waist
- Nausea and vomiting
- Urine that is cloudy or red in color
- Smelly urination
If experienced by toddlers or people aged 65 years and over, kidney infections can cause severe symptoms such as impaired consciousness and shock (blood pressure drops below normal).
Reason
Kidney infections can be caused by bacteria or viruses. The bacteria Escherichia coli or E. coli is the most common cause. Normally, these bacteria live along the intestine and are excreted in the feces. If the bacteria enter through the urethra, rises to the bladder and kidneys, an infection in the bladder or kidney can occur.
The following things make a person more susceptible to kidney infections:
- Women (because they have shorter urethra so they get infected more easily)
- Have a bladder infection
- Pregnant women
- Have a narrowed urethra (a structure of the urethra) or an enlarged prostate
- Have kidney stones
- Have diabetes
- Experiencing disturbance in excreting urine (urine cannot be completely excreted/urine retention)
Diagnosis
If there are symptoms leading to a kidney infection, a urine test (urinalysis) is needed in the laboratory. From the results of a urine examination, the doctor will see if bacteria, blood, nitrites, and leukocyte esterase are found, which are signs of infection in the kidneys. Furthermore, to find out the type of germ that causes a kidney infection and what treatment is right to give, a urine culture (culture) is needed.
If a kidney infection is suspected to be due to another disease in the urinary tract, an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI is sometimes needed to confirm it.
Treatment
The main treatment for kidney infection is with antibiotics. This medicine should only be consumed on the instructions and prescription of a doctor. Generally, antibiotics are given for 1-2 weeks.
If the symptoms experienced are considered mild by a doctor, generally people with kidney infections do not need to be hospitalized and can take antibiotic tablets or syrup. However, if the symptoms are severe, the doctor will suggest hospitalization and give an injection of antibiotics.
Prevention
Kidney infection can actually be prevented, how:
- Consume 1.5–2 liters of water a day to rinse the urinary tract from germs that can cause infection.
- After urinating or defecating, clean the pubic area from front to back (from the urethra to the anus), not the other way around.
- Do not hold back the urge to urinate.
- Make it a habit to urinate after sex.