6 signs of kidney infection: Recognize with the naked eye, just need to look carefully

If not treated promptly, kidney infections can cause kidney damage or septicemia, a disease that can be life-threatening.

The main task of the kidney is to remove excess waste and water from the blood. A very important part of this body is part of the urinary system, which produces urine and removes urine from the body.

The organs of the urinary system include: Kidneys, urinary tract, urinary tract (bladder), urethra (leading urine from the bladder to the urethra to discharge).

If any of these parts are infected with bacteria, you may have a UTI . Usually, when the bladder is infected, it can be painful but not really serious.

But if these bacteria attack the urethra, you will have a much more dangerous health problem, which is a kidney infection. Doctors sometimes call "pyelonephritis".

If not treated promptly, kidney infections can cause unfortunate consequences, which can cause you to die.

Picture 1 of 6 signs of kidney infection: Recognize with the naked eye, just need to look carefully
The disease comes from an infection in the lower urinary tract.

The cause of kidney infections

Usually, the disease originates from an infection in the lower urinary tract (in the bladder and urethra) and the bacteria proliferate and move upwards in the urinary tract and cause kidney infections.

Although many bacteria and viruses can cause kidney infections, Escherichia coli bacteria are often the main cause.

Very rarely do you get an infection through your skin, bacteria go into your blood and move to your kidneys. You may have an infection after kidney surgery but this is also not common.

Signs of kidney infection

  1. Pus or blood in the urine.
  2. Fever and chills
  3. Anorexia
  4. Pain in the back, hips and lower abdomen
  5. Nausea and vomiting
  6. Tired

You may also experience symptoms similar to those of bladder infections such as: burning or pain when urinating, constant urination, feeling of urination right away and unable to urinate and foul smelling urine. .

You should see a doctor if you are being treated for a urinary infection but the signs and symptoms do not improve or if you experience one or more typical symptoms of the disease.

If not treated promptly, kidney infections can cause kidney damage or septicemia, a disease that can be life-threatening. If you are pregnant, kidney infections can also affect the baby in the abdomen.

Picture 2 of 6 signs of kidney infection: Recognize with the naked eye, just need to look carefully
Women are more prone to bladder infections than men.

People at high risk of getting sick

Anyone is at risk for kidney infections, but women are more likely to get bladder infections than men, so their risk of kidney infections is higher.

The reason is that the female urethra is much shorter than the male, so bacteria can easily go from outside the body to the bladder.

Pregnant women are also prone to bladder infections because the fetus puts pressure on the mother's ureters and slows urine flow.

In addition, there are many factors that increase your risk of kidney infections:

  1. Obstruction in the urinary tract: When the flow of urine is slow or the ability to empty the bladder is reduced, the bacteria can easily move up to the ureter, increasing the risk of kidney infections.
  2. Kidney stones.
  3. Weak immune system: such as diabetes or HIV.
  4. Damage to nerves around the bladder.
  5. Use prolonged urethral catheters.

Treatment for kidney infections

Usually, you first need to use antibiotics, lasting for 1 or 2 weeks, depending on the level of infection, general health status and bacteria found in the urine.

The signs and symptoms of kidney infection may gradually disappear within a few days of treatment. But take a full dose of antibiotics according to your doctor's instructions.

If the infection is severe, the doctor may require you to be hospitalized. You can get antibiotics through a vein.

If a kidney infection recurs many times, you need to go to the kidney and urinary tract experts to find the cause of the relapse.

How to reduce symptoms of kidney infections

  1. Drink plenty of water to help your body get rid of bacteria through the urine stream. However, you should not drink coffee.
  2. Rest more.
  3. Should sit on the toilet, should not squat.
  4. Use painkillers
  5. Apply heat by placing a towel dipped in warm water on your abdomen, back or side to reduce pain and severe abdominal pain.

How to prevent kidney infections

  1. Avoid deodorant sprays or genital dyes.
  2. Condoms or diaphragms containing spermicides should not be used. It can cause bacteria to grow. But you can use lubricated condoms, because there is no lubricant, it can stimulate the urethra, causing infection.
  3. Drink a lot of water.
  4. Urinate every time you feel pee.
  5. Urinate after having sex.
  6. Wipe from front to back every time you go to the bathroom.