Kidney Infection Symptoms

I. The kidney essentials

The kidneys are one of the main components of the body’s urinary system along with the ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra. Located in the either side of the middle back and under the diaphragm, the kidneys function to filter waste products in the body, regulate blood pressure, maintain body electrolytes, and help in production of blood cells.

Kidney infections are one of the kinds of infections in the urinary system usually known as the urinary tract infections, also called UTI.  Generally, infections that happen in urethra and bladder are said to be the lower urinary tract infection and in parts including the kidney are said to be the upper urinary tract infection. This kidney infection is also known as pyelonephritis.

Urinary tract infections are very common in females. In fact, according to research, 40 percent of females may be affected with the kidney infections while only 10 percent only for males. This means that kidney infection symptoms in women are more likely to happen. Women aged below 50 have more tendencies to have common cases of this renal infection. Children are also vulnerable to this infection.

II. Kidney infection symptoms

Kidney infections can be very dangerous when left without treatment. It may lead to blood poisoning and even death. It is therefore important for one to know some warning signs to somehow prevent complications.

One of the renal infection symptoms is the burning sensation being felt during urination. This kidney infection pain is a good sign of a kidney infection. The burning sensation can sometimes bring tears to the eyes.

A pain in the lower back is also one of the signs. It can be a dull ache, sharp stabbing pain or like punching feeling in the small area of the lower back. This may indicate some kidney trouble.

Finally, kidney infection symptoms also include fatigue and fever. For people who experiences frequent kidney infections, the fatigue feeling may arise suddenly. It may cause one lose energy in doing normal things one does. Also, a low grade fever accompanies kidney infections. In the early stages, the fever may be low but as the kidney infection worsens, the fever usually goes up as well.

 III. Causes of Kidney Infection

Kidney infections may be caused by some bacteria invading the urine which is “normally a sterile body fluid”. Bacteria can usually penetrate the urine in the urethra which can be exposed to it outside the body.

Possible sources of bacteria that take over the urinary system are the anus, vagina and the skin. Moreover, because women’s urethral length is shorter than men, they are more prone to infection.

Other causes of kidney infection may root from sexual intercourse for women. The bacteria may be coming from the outside source to the urinary system via the urethra.

The most common kinds of bacteria that contribute to kidney infection are those from the vagina, gastrointestinal tract and skin.  One famous bacterium is the Escherichia coli or E. coli. It is said to be the one responsible for about 80 percent of cases concerning kidney or urinary tract infections. Other bacterium is the Staphylococcus saprophyticus.