What is pyelonephritis (kidney infection)

Condition analysis:
Most people have two kidneys. Your kidneys filter water and waste products from your blood, cleaning your blood and making urine. Urine drains into your bladder through tubes called ureters. When you pass urine, your bladder contracts, squeezing urine out of your body through a tube called the urethra.

Pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection of one or both of your kidneys. It can be either acute or chronic. This factsheet focuses on acute pyelonephritis. Acute and chronic refer to how long the condition lasts for, rather than how severe it is.

Instructions:
Treatment: Your GP will usually prescribe antibiotics immediately if he or she suspects that you have a kidney infection. The tests will let your doctor know if there is another antibiotic that would be more effective. You should always take the full course of antibiotics to get rid of the bacteria completely, even if your symptoms clear up before you finish the course.

Over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol, ibruprofen and aspirin can reduce a fever and can ease pain and discomfort. Follow the instructions in the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine and if you have any questions, ask your pharmacist for advice.

If you have pyelonephritis, you should also drink plenty of fluids, at least two litres every 24 hours.

You should start to feel better after a day or so taking the antibiotics. But if your symptoms get worse or you don't feel any better after 24 hours, you should get advice from a doctor as soon as possible. You may need to go to hospital.