Acute Pyelonephritis Quiz
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Have a fever
Fever before stomach pain
Low back pain
Localized abdominal pain
Stomachache
I have back pain
The chills
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What is Acute Pyelonephritis?
An infection of the kidney typically caused by bacteria.
Typical Symptoms of Acute Pyelonephritis
- Symptoms started with lower back pain on one side only
- Fever
- Burning or painful urination with reduced urine volume
- Stomach or abdominal pain in a specific area
- Fatigue or low energy that is worse in the morning
- Sweating at night requiring change in clothing
- Having difficulty urinating or producing less urine
- Recurrent fever episodes
Diagnostic Questions for Acute Pyelonephritis
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Did you have lower back pain on one side only when your symptoms started?
- Do you have a fever?
- Have you experienced burning or painful urination along with a decrease in urine volume?
- Do you have stomach or abdominal pain in a specific area?
- Do you experience fatigue or low energy that is worse in the morning?
Treatment of Acute Pyelonephritis
Treatment involves antibiotics, which can be taken orally. In more severe cases, hospitalization and intravenous "drip" antibiotics may be necessary. In some instances, a procedure or surgery might be required to drain pus from the kidneys.
Reviewed By:
Maxwell J. Nanes, DO (Emergency Medicine)
Dr Nanes received a doctorate from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and went on to complete a residency in emergency medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin. There he trained at Froedtert Hospital and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin in the practice of adult and pediatric emergency medicine. He was a chief resident and received numerous awards for teaching excellence during his time there. | | After residency he took a job at a community hospital where he and his colleagues worked through the toughest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. |
Nao Saito, MD (Urology)
After graduating from Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine, Dr. Saito worked at Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital, Toda Chuo General Hospital, Tokyo Women's Medical University Yachiyo Medical Center, and Ako Chuo Hospital before becoming Deputy Director (current position) at Takasaki Tower Clinic Department of Ophthalmology and Urology in April 2020.
Content updated on Mar 31, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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Acute Pyelonephritis?
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With a free 3-min Acute Pyelonephritis quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
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History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Urination pain with little urine
- My body is hot
- Pained urination with a reduced urine flow
- Recurrent fevers
- Periodic fever (>100.4°F / 38°C)
- Burning sensation with little urine
- Fever then no fever then fever again
- Pained urination with a reduced urine flow
- Remittent fever of 102.2°F / 39°C
- Extremely high fever of 106.7°F / 41.5°C or higher
- Fever of 100.4°F / 38°C or more for weeks
- Stomach was uncomfortable, then had a fever
- Stomachache and diarrhea before a fever
- Temperature of 102.2°F / 39°C goes up and down
See full list
Symptoms Related to Acute Pyelonephritis
Diseases Related to Acute Pyelonephritis
FAQs
Q.
Severe Kidney Pain? Why Pyelonephritis Is Serious & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Severe kidney pain with fever, chills, or urinary symptoms may be pyelonephritis, a dangerous kidney infection that can progress to sepsis or kidney damage; seek urgent medical evaluation now, and go to the ER for high fever with shaking chills, severe vomiting, confusion, dizziness, or fainting. There are several factors to consider, including who is at higher risk, which tests confirm it, how antibiotics and timing affect recovery, and when imaging or hospitalization is needed; see the complete, medically approved next steps below.
References:
* Al-Ghailani N, Zaki N. Acute pyelonephritis in adults. Semin Nephrol. 2022 Mar;42(2):129-142. doi: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2022.03.003. PMID: 35149306.
* Stankiewicz L, Hryhorczuk Z, Domański L. Management of Acute Pyelonephritis in Adults: A Narrative Review. J Clin Med. 2023 Jan 17;12(2):778. doi: 10.3390/jcm12020778. PMID: 36671040; PMCID: PMC9861616.
* Stankiewicz W, Hryhorczuk Z, Domański L. Severe Acute Pyelonephritis: Clinical Aspects and Prognostic Factors. Medicina (Kaunas). 2021 Jan 25;57(2):100. doi: 10.3390/medicina57020100. PMID: 33504107; PMCID: PMC7910903.
* Grabe M. Imaging in pyelonephritis. Curr Opin Urol. 2021 Jul 1;31(4):259-265. doi: 10.1097/MOU.0000000000000889. PMID: 33791338.
* Koutra E, Christaki E, Giamarellos-Bourboulis EJ, Giamarellou H. Antimicrobial Resistance in Acute Pyelonephritis: A Global Review. Microorganisms. 2023 Mar 15;11(3):739. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms11030739. PMID: 36968032; PMCID: PMC10057053.
Q.
Pyelonephritis? Why Your Kidney is Infected & Vital Medical Next Steps
A.
Pyelonephritis is a serious kidney infection that often begins as a bladder UTI that travels upward, causing high fever, chills, one-sided back or flank pain, nausea or vomiting, and painful or frequent urination; it needs prompt antibiotics and sometimes hospitalization to prevent kidney damage or sepsis. There are several factors to consider, including red flags for emergency care, who is at higher risk, which tests confirm it, and how treatment and follow up are tailored. See the complete guidance below to understand more and choose the right next steps.
References:
* Rudenberg C, Scheer CS, Heppeler N, Geiger AM. Acute pyelonephritis in adults. Lancet. 2020 Jul 18;396(10245):271-282. PMID: 32669476.
* Zappitelli M, Constantinou S, Karpman D, Mattoo TK. Acute Pyelonephritis: A Review. JAMA. 2020 Apr 7;323(13):1290-1300. PMID: 32240901.
* Fickweiler T, Olaru N, Nielson A, Mody L. Update on the Management of Acute Pyelonephritis. Curr Infect Dis Rep. 2021 Feb 3;23(2):3. PMID: 33497880.
* Flores-Mireles AL, Salyers J. Pyelonephritis: What's New? Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2023 Dec;37(4):755-769. PMID: 37947702.
* Craig WD, Schuler AL, Dalrymple NC, Lowe LH, Little BP. Acute Pyelonephritis: Clinical Presentation and Imaging Findings. Radiographics. 2021 Jul-Aug;41(4):1127-1144. PMID: 34185191.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Morello W, La Scola C, Alberici I, Montini G. Acute pyelonephritis in children. Pediatr Nephrol. 2016 Aug;31(8):1253-65. doi: 10.1007/s00467-015-3168-5. Epub 2015 Aug 4. PMID: 26238274.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00467-015-3168-5Ramakrishnan K, Scheid DC. Diagnosis and management of acute pyelonephritis in adults. Am Fam Physician. 2005 Mar 1;71(5):933-42. Erratum in: Am Fam Physician. 2005 Dec 1;72(11):2182. PMID: 15768623.
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2005/0301/p933.htmlHudson C, Mortimore G. The diagnosis and management of a patient with acute pyelonephritis. Br J Nurs. 2020 Feb 13;29(3):144-150. doi: 10.12968/bjon.2020.29.3.144. PMID: 32053436.
https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/bjon.2020.29.3.144