Pyelonephritis

Symptoms of pyelonephritis may include:

• pain in the side of the abdomen or back area over the kidney (loin pain)
• high temperature (38 degrees centigrade), with shivering
• feeling nauseous, vomiting and/or diarrhoea
• blood in your urine (haematuria)
• pain on urinating and frequency
• urinary tract infections
• urinary frequency or urgency

Your consultant or GP will ask about your symptoms and recent medical history. They will carry out a urine test to see if you have a urinary tract infection (UTI). If you are a man with a confirmed infection, your consultant will refer you straight to our urology department for further investigation. Urological investigations include:

• MRI scan
• contrast-enhanced computer demography (CECT)

If your consultant is concerned that you may have an obstruction (such as a kidney stone that is stuck in the ureter) or a structural abnormality in your urinary system, other tests may be ordered, such as a CT (computed tomography) scan or ultrasound.

Treatment options include:

• increasing fluid intake to prevent dehydration
• antibiotics, to clear the infection
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers*

*These will not be recommended unless absolutely necessary as they can cause an increased risk of problems with the kidney function during a kidney infection.