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Kidney infection (pyelonephritis)
A kidney infection occurs when bacteria travel from the bladder up the ureters and into the kidneys. Sometimes kidney infections may occur when bacteria in the blood enter the kidneys.
Symptoms of kidney infection may include:
- Painful urination and other symptoms of a bladder infection.
- Pain in the flank, which is felt just below the rib cage and above the waist on one or both sides of the back.
- Fever.
- Nausea and vomiting.
Oral antibiotics usually can treat kidney infections. But a brief hospital stay and a short course of intravenous (I.V.) antibiotics are sometimes required. If not treated with antibiotics, the infection may damage the kidneys. The infection may also spread to the bloodstream and become life-threatening, especially in young children and the elderly.
How can you care for your child who has a kidney infection?
- Give your child antibiotics as directed. Do not stop using them just because your child feels better. Your child needs to take the full course of antibiotics.
- Have your child drink plenty of water each day. This helps your child urinate often, which clears bacteria from the system. If your child has a problem that makes you have to limit fluids, talk with the doctor.
- Have your child urinate often.
- To relieve pain, have your child take a hot bath or lay a hot water bottle over your child’s lower belly. Keep a cloth between the hot water bottle and your child’s skin.
- Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- If the doctor gave your child a prescription medicine for pain, give it as prescribed.
- If your child is not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask the doctor if your child can take an over-the-counter medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for fever or pain. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- Do not give your child two or more pain or fever medicines at the same time unless the doctor told you to. Many pain or fever medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.
To help prevent kidney infections
- Help your child avoid constipation. Schedule bathroom time every day. Encourage your child to use the bathroom if needed at school, rather than waiting until he or she returns home.
- Teach your child to urinate when he or she feels the urge. You don’t want your child to hold urine for a long time. Have your child urinate before going to sleep.
- Watch for symptoms of a bladder infection, such as burning when urinating or having to urinate often. If you see symptoms, call your doctor so you can treat the problem before it gets worse. If you do not treat a bladder infection quickly, it can spread to the kidney.
- For boys, keep the tip of the penis clean.
- For girls, wipe from front to back after going to the bathroom.
Kidney infection: When to call
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have symptoms that a kidney infection is getting worse. These may include:
- Pain or burning when you urinate.
- A frequent need to urinate without being able to pass much urine.
- Pain in the flank, which is just below the rib cage and above the waist on either side of the back.
- Blood in the urine.
- A fever.
- You are vomiting or nauseated.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- You do not get better as expected.
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The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.