Symptoms of Kidney Infection in Women

In medical terms, a kidney infection is attributed by the name 'pyelonephritis'. You must have heard about urinary tract infection or popularly known as UTI. A kidney infection happens to be a specific type of UTI. In most cases, it begins in the urethra or bladder and then makes its way into the kidney. This ailment may occur at any age and apparently, women are susceptible to this disease, more than men. This is because, women are more prone to suffer from UTI as their urethra is closer to the anus, which makes it easier for bacteria from the bowel to travel up the urethra.

An ailment such as a kidney infection demands prompt medical attention, and treatment. If ignored and left untreated, then it has all reasons to damage the kidneys for good or cause a fatal infection by invading the bloodstream of the patient. The symptoms of kidney infection in women have been listed below for you to jot them down and refer to. Apart from the symptoms, additional information on the causes and treatment of the medical condition has also been provided for your reference.

Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Infection

# There aren't many symptoms of kidney infection. As an early sign, a low-grade fever may flare-up and it may worsen if the infection is allowed to grow.

# Pain in the back, side (flank) or groin is also one common symptom. The pain may be felt like a dull ache or to some people, a sharp stabbing pain. The pain arising in a kidney infection is usually concentrated to a small corner of the lower back.

# Abdominal pain is also common in this case. Just as in the case of a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), frequent urination and burning or pain during the act is a classic sign of kidney infection. To add to this, patients mostly experience a strong and persistent urge to urinate.

# In some cases, the presence of pus or blood in the urine is also one of the noticeable kidney infection symptoms. Not to forget, if you are affected by sudden bouts of fatigue so much that you can hardly keep your eyes open, then it may also be an important indication.

What Causes the Infection?

Bacteria may enter into the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply. This is when the kidney infection typically occurs. An infection in any other part of the body may also be an offender. Here, the bacteria may invade the bloodstream and travel to the kidneys. This is however, a rare occurrence. Another rare cause may be a kidney surgery.

Treatment of Kidney Infection

Depending on the bacteria found in the urine test, and the condition of the patient, the course of the treatment is decided upon. Generally, the use of antibiotics is known to be the first line of treatment to eliminate the causal pathogen. Most people recuperate from the symptoms within a few days of the treatment. However, they may still have to continue the administration of antibiotics for a week or longer. This is to ensure that the infection leaves the patient for good. In case of severe infections, hospitalization may be recommended.

When medical attention is not an immediate option, some symptoms of kidney infection may be managed at home using some simple tips. Placing a heating pad on the aching area may provide some relief from the pain. Pain killers may also be used if pain gets unbearable, and it is a must to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of fluids, except citrus juices, coffee, alcohol and soft drinks, can provide a great deal of help until medical help arrives.