Symptoms of recurring pyelonephritis

Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
Updated on September 05, 2024
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Pyelonephritis is an upper urinary tract infection. When the condition recurs, the initial symptoms are similar. Patients may also experience fever, and the temperature can rise quickly, even up to 40 degrees Celsius. There may also be a systemic inflammatory response, characterized by fatigue and loss of appetite, among other symptoms. Recurrence can also cause pain in the lumbar region, which may even radiate to the perineal area, and patients may also experience visible hematuria. In urinalysis, leukocytes or positive leukocyte esterase can be observed. These are the symptoms of recurring pyelonephritis.

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Written by Li Liu Sheng
Nephrology
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What causes acute pyelonephritis?

Acute pyelonephritis refers to an acute inflammatory disease caused by bacteria invading the renal pelvis. It is commonly seen in women of childbearing age, the elderly, individuals with weakened immune systems, and patients with urinary tract obstructions. The main clinical manifestations of acute pyelonephritis typically include frequent urination, increased urination frequency, painful urination, back pain, fever, cold stomach, and it can even present symptoms such as headache, whole body muscle soreness, nausea, and vomiting. The most common pathogen causing acute pyelonephritis is Escherichia coli, while other bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa can also cause infections of acute pyelonephritis. Therefore, it is crucial to actively choose sensitive antibiotics for the treatment of acute pyelonephritis.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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Is pyelonephritis easy to treat?

Most cases of pyelonephritis start acutely, with patients abruptly experiencing bacterial infections in their urinary system, causing inflammation in areas such as the renal pelvis and calyces. This manifests clinically with symptoms such as fever and back pain. This acute onset type is called acute pyelonephritis, and it is relatively easy to treat because it involves a bacterial infection that requires antibacterial treatment. Hence, it is generally manageable. However, if a patient's condition becomes prolonged and turns into chronic pyelonephritis, treatment may be more challenging. The bacteria causing chronic pyelonephritis are often drug-resistant, and this condition might be associated with predisposing factors for urinary infections, such as urinary system stones, anatomical abnormalities of the urinary tract, or obstructions that can conceal bacteria or contribute to their resistance, making treatment more difficult.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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How is pyelonephritis diagnosed?

Pyelonephritis is an upper urinary tract infection, with over 95% caused by bacterial infections in areas such as the renal pelvis and calyces, leading to inflammation. As a type of bacterial infection, if a patient's urine routine shows leukocytes and there is percussion pain in the renal area, along with fever, these symptoms combined with the urine examination can essentially lead to a diagnosis. However, a definitive diagnosis requires a culture of clean-catch midstream urine. If the bacteria in two consecutive urine cultures exceed 100,000 per milliliter and are the same type, the patient can be clearly diagnosed with pyelonephritis.

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Written by Niu Yan Lin
Nephrology
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The difference between pyelonephritis and nephritis

Pyelonephritis and nephritis are two completely different diseases. Pyelonephritis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria, viruses, mycoplasma, chlamydia, etc. Treatment generally requires the use of antibiotics. The vast majority of patients can fully recover within two weeks under the treatment of sensitive antibiotics, without any sequelae. On the other hand, nephritis is mostly an autoimmune disease, not an infectious disease caused by pathogens. Therefore, its treatment does not require the use of antibiotics. Treatment usually involves ACE inhibitors or ARB type RUSH blockers, glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, cytotoxic drugs, etc., and the course of nephritis is relatively long, with some patients having relatively poor prognosis. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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Symptoms of recurring pyelonephritis

Pyelonephritis is an upper urinary tract infection. When the condition recurs, the initial symptoms are similar. Patients may also experience fever, and the temperature can rise quickly, even up to 40 degrees Celsius. There may also be a systemic inflammatory response, characterized by fatigue and loss of appetite, among other symptoms. Recurrence can also cause pain in the lumbar region, which may even radiate to the perineal area, and patients may also experience visible hematuria. In urinalysis, leukocytes or positive leukocyte esterase can be observed. These are the symptoms of recurring pyelonephritis.