Causes of kidney infection

General Info

Kidney infection is a rare condition and it was calculated in UK that it may occur in 28 to 35 out of 100,000 people.

It is characteristic of kidney infections that they are common in pregnant women, children to age 2 and people over 60 and it is more often seen in women than in men.

Types of kidney infection include: 1) uncomplicated kidney infection where people don’t suffer from symptoms and have very low chances of sever complications and 2) complicated kidney infection refers to infection that is more damaging to health.

Urinary Tract InfectionUrinary tract infection (UTI) are infections that include infections of the kidneys and other organs from urinary tract such as the bladder, the ureters (muscular tubes that move urine from the kidneys to the bladder) and the urethra (the transport tube that goes from the bladder and discharges urine).

Waste products in the body are removed through liver or the kidneys. Kidneys eliminate waste products (remainings of food) that are called urea. Urine consists of urea and the water. Urine travels from kidneys via ureters to the bladder. Urethra transports urine outside the body.

Causes of Kidneys InfectionWhen bacteria, such as Escherichia coli that is commonly found in the colon, enters the kidneys they get infected. It goes in through urethra opening and once in the bladder it propagates. The bacteria in this case infect the bladder and finally causes the kidneys infection.

E. coli can also be spread by toilet paper that after bottom comes in contact with genitals.

Sometimes, kidney infection may occur because of fungi or bacteria that infect the skin. Kidney infection develops if kidneys become infected because of bacteria in the blood. This is common in people with immune system impairment.

Risks

Urinary tract, bladder, and kidney infection are more common in women since women urethra is closer to anal opening which allows bacteria to easily enter urethra. It is also the case due to women shorter urethra and bacteria can reach kidneys without difficulty.

Apart from these male female differences, factors are increased if you:

1. suffer from disorder that hinders your urinary tract (for example kidney stones)

2. have troubles with voiding urine

3. have low immunity that could be caused by diabetes or chemotherapy

4. are sexually active female

5. have inserted urinary catheter for discharging urine

Symptoms may include fever, pain, frequent urination and blood in urine.

Untreated kidney infection can be very dangerous and damage your kidneys. Treatment usually consists of antibiotics and hospital attention.