Diagnosis & Treatment of a Kidney Infection
Diagnosis
To diagnose a kidney infection, your doctor will review your symptoms and review your medical history, checking in particular for a history of urinary tract infection (UTI). During physical examination, the physician may gently press the kidney area to see how tender or painful it is. Other symptoms also are considered; for example, fever and back pain are more likely to indicate a kidney infection than a lower urinary tract infection.
Laboratory tests include urine samples to detect blood, bacteria or white blood cells. Blood tests may be performed to check for systemic infection.
In some cases, imaging tests (e.g., x-rays, CT scan) are used to check for enlarged or obstructed kidneys or other problems that may affect kidney function.
Treatment
Kidney infections are treated using antibiotics to destroy the bacteria. The type of antibiotic used varies, depending on the type of bacteria that is causing the infection.
The usual course of treatment is antibiotics for one to two weeks. Generally the symptoms that are caused by minor infections can begin to get better after a couple of days, but more severe infections frequently take longer.
While recovering from kidney infections, applying heat to the affected area and/or taking pain relievers such as Tylenol can help alleviate the symptoms. Physicians do not recommend aspirin. Drinking plenty of fluids helps remove bacteria from the urinary tract.
Other Treatment
If the kidney infection recurs, or does not respond to antibiotics, other diagnostic tests may be required and your physicians may check for urinary tract abnormalities. Intravenous antibiotics or surgery may be required. If the kidney infection is severe, this could necessitate prolonged hospital stays and antibiotics for up to six weeks.