Pyelonephritis
Most people with a kidney infection can be treatedat home with a course of antibiotics, and possibly painkillers as well.
See your GP if you have a fever and persistent tummy, lower back or genital pain, or if you notice a change to your usual pattern of urination.
All children with symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) or kidney infection, including cystitis , should see their GP or out-of-hours emergency service .
If you're being treated at home, you'll usually be prescribed a course of antibiotic tablets or capsules that lasts between seven and 14 days.
For most peopleapart from pregnant women antibiotics called ciprofloxacinorCo-amoxiclavare recommended. However, other antibiotics may also be used.
Common side effects of ciprofloxacin include feeling sick and diarrhoea .
Co-amoxiclavcan make the contraceptive pill and contraceptive patches less effective, so you may need to use another form of contraception during the course of treatment.
A 14-day course of an antibiotic called cefalexin is recommended for pregnant women.
Usually, you'll start to feel betterquite soon aftertreatment starts and you should feel completely better after abouttwo weeks.
If your symptoms show no sign of improvement24 hours after treatment starts, contact your GP for advice.
Takinga painkiller such as paracetamol should help relieve symptoms of pain and a high temperature.
However, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen aren't usually recommended to relieve pain during a kidney infection. This is because theymay increase the risk of further kidney problems.
If you havea kidney infection, try not to "hover" over the toilet seat when you go to the loo, because it can result inyour bladder not being fully emptied.
It's alsoimportant to drink plenty of fluids, because this will help prevent dehydration and will help to flush out the bacteria from your kidneys. Aim to drink enough so that you're frequently passing pale-coloured urine.
Make sure that you get plenty of rest. A kidney infection can be physically draining, evenif you're normally healthy and strong. It may take up to two weeks before you're fit enough to return to work.
Your GP may refer you to hospital if you have an underlying problem with your urinary tract, which makes you vulnerable to kidney infections.
It's standard practice to further investigate all men with a kidney infection simply because the condition is much rarer in men. Only women who have had two or more kidney infections tend to be referred.Most children with a kidney infection will be treated in hospital.
Hospital treatment may also be neededif:
If you're admitted to hospital with a kidney infection, you'll probably be attached to a drip soyou can be given fluids to help keep you hydrated. Antibiotics can also begiven through the drip.
You'll have regular blood and urine tests to monitor your health and how effectively the antibioticsare fighting off the infection.
Most people respond well to treatment. As long as there areno complications, they're usually well enough to leave hospital within three to seven days.Treatment will usually switch to tablets or capsules after you stop receivingantibiotics through a drip.
A kidney infection (pyelonephritis) is a painful and unpleasant illness caused by bacteria travelling from your bladder into one or both of your kidneys
The symptoms of a kidney infection usually develop quite quickly over a few hours or days.
A kidney infection happens when bacteria enters and infects one or both of your kidneys.
To work out if you have a kidney infection, your GP will ask you about your symptoms and your recent medical history.
Most people with a kidney infection can be treated at home by taking a course of antibiotics, and possibly painkillers as well.
Most kidney infections are treated successfully without any complications, although some people may develop further problems.
The best way to prevent a kidney infection is to keep your bladder and urethra free from bacteria.