Medium urgency
Very common-
Pyelonephritis is an inflammation of the kidney.
The most common cause is an infection due to bacteria or fungi, traveling from the lower urinary tract upwards. Facilitating factors are vesicoureteral reflux, urinary tract obstruction, diabetes, pregnancy and immunosuppression.
It usually produces urinary discomfort, purulent urine, pain on the flank and fever.
Diagnosis is reached through clinical history, physical examination and additional tests such as blood tests, blood and urine cultures and imaging tests to rule out obstruction and associated complications.
Treatment is based on antibiotic therapy and painkillers to manage the pain.
- Thomas M Hooton, Kalpana Gupta. Acute uncomplicated cystitis and pyelonephritis in women. UpToDate. May 26, 2016.
- Thomas M Hooton. Acute uncomplicated cystitis and pyelonephritis in men. UpToDate. Jan 05, 2016.
- Wilson ML, Gaido L. Laboratory diagnosis of urinary tract infections in adult patients. Clin Infect Dis 2004; 38:1150.
- C. Caramelo, L. Hernando. Pielonefritis. Farreras Rozman. Medicina Interna. Volumen I. Duodécima edición. 914:918.
- K. Gupta, B. Trautner. Infecciones de vías urinarias, pielonefritis y prostatitis. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna. Volumen 2. 19ª Edición. 861:868.
Dr. Oscar Garcia-Esquirol
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