CARE ASSISTANT
DEPyelonephritis
A kidney infection, to be treated without delay.
It occurs when a lower urinary infection travels up from the bladder to one or both kidneys.
The signs: high fever, flank or back pain, nausea, cloudy urine. It calls for a prompt consultation and antibiotics, sometimes by infusion, to protect the kidney.
More Informations
A kidney infection that requires prompt treatment.
Definition
Pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection of the kidney. It combines fever, chills, back pain and sometimes nausea, and must be treated without delay.
Causes
Most often a cystitis rising to the kidney, sometimes favoured by a stone or an abnormality of the urinary tract.
Diagnosis
- Clinical examination with pain on percussion of the back.
- Urine analysis and culture, blood tests.
- Ultrasound or CT scan depending on severity.
Treatments
Antibiotics adapted to the germ, by mouth or infusion depending on severity, with good hydration. Hospital admission is sometimes needed; a kidney abscess may require drainage.
During pyelonephritis, fever and fatigue make moving difficult and urine abundant. A Mati underpad on the bed and, if needed, a Combi brief with tabs make care easier until recovery.
Educational content written for families and caregivers. It does not replace a consultation: a doctor, a continence nurse or a physiotherapist makes the diagnosis and chooses the treatment.