Kidney infection (the medical term is pyelonephritis) is a bacterial infection of one or both kidneys. The disease occurs in roughly 3 to 7 of every 10,000 people in the U.S. it is readily treatable if diagnosed early. Most kidney infections are readily diagnosed and easily resolved with antibiotic treatment. Skilled specialists at the Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute are experienced in treating kidney infections and resolving the primary problems such as kidney stones, and others that can lead to infections.
What is kidney infection (pyelonephritis)?
Kidney infection (pyelonephritis) is a bacterial infection. A bacteria called Escherichia Coli (E Coli) causes about 90% of the infections. The bacteria migrate from the genitals through the urethra into the bladder and up the tubes (ureters) that connect the bladder to the kidneys. Normally such bacteria are flushed out by the flow of urine. However, if the urine flow is obstructed by structural abnormalities, kidney, an enlarged prostate gland (benign prostatic hyperplasia) compressing the urethra, or backflow (reflux) of urine from the bladder to the kidneys, the bacteria can gain a foothold. Some bacteria such as staphylococcus infections can enter the kidneys from the bloodstream.
