Kidney infection

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Definition Symptoms Causes Risk factors Tests and diagnosis

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Definition

Kidney infection (pyelonephritis) is a specific type of urinary tract infection (UTI) that generally begins in your urethra or bladder and travels up into your kidneys. If not treated properly, kidney infection can permanently damage your kidneys or spread to your bloodstream and cause a life-threatening infection. Prompt medical attention is required.

Your kidneys filter waste from your blood, adjust blood levels of many substances, and conserve or excrete water from your system depending on your body's needs. Urine is the product of this filtration and renal tubular function.

From the kidneys, urine passes through tubes called ureters, which lead to the bladder. Your bladder stores urine until it exits your body through the urethra. Kidney infection usually begins when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and then start to multiply.

Antibiotics are the typical treatment for kidney infection. You can take a number of steps to help prevent a kidney infection in the first place.

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Symptoms