Pyelitis

Overview

Pyelitis (pyelonephritis) is caused by bacteria spreading from the bladder to the renal pelvis, thus leading to inflammation. It causes high fever, accompanied by a feeling of being unwell and flank pain in the area of the kidneys. It must always be treated with antibiotics.

Symptoms

Main symptoms

• Sudden onset of symptoms
• High fever and chills
• General feeling of being unwell, headache and painful limbs
• Dull but severe pain in the side (flank)

Secondary symptoms

• Frequent urge to urinate, pain when urinating
• Cloudy urine, urine often smells bad, sometimes blood in urine
• Nausea, possibly vomiting
• Bloating

Complications

• Kidney (renal) abscess
• Blood poisoning (sepsis)
• Increasing impairment of kidney function (renal insufficiency)
  

Causes and treatment

Causes

• Bacteria spreading from the bladder (bladder infection) to the renal pelvis
• Foreign bodies in the urinary tract (kidney stones, etc.)

Further treatment by your doctor / in hospital

Possible tests

• Urine test (inflammatory markers and search for bacteria)
• Blood test (inflammatory markers)
• Ultrasound of the kidneys (sonography)
• CT scan (computed tomography)

Possible therapies

• Antibiotics
• Painkillers
  

What can I do myself?

• Drinking plenty of fluids supports the healing process

When to see a doctor?

• Side (flank) pain with fever