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Will Antibiotics Help A Kidney Infection

Can Kidney Infection Be Prevented

Medical Conditions & Treatments : Kidney Infection Symptoms & Treatment

Most kidney infections are caused by germs travelling up from a bladder infection. So the same things that can help to reduce your chances of bladder infection should reduce your chances of kidney infection. Traditionally, people who got recurring urine infections were advised about measures such as drinking plenty of fluid and taking cranberry juice, and on the way that they wiped themselves after going to the toilet. However, there is little evidence for any of these measures and they are now not usually advised. Anything which increases your risk of urine infections which can be treated, should be treated. For example, any constipation should be treated promptly, as constipation can increase your chances of a bladder or kidney infection. See the separate leaflet called Constipation for more details. Doctors will try to treat anything else which might be contributing, such as kidney stones or an abnormality in the structure of the urinary system.

Pregnant women are regularly tested for urine infections and for germs in their urine. Even if they don’t have symptoms, if urine tests positive for germs, pregnant women are usually treated with antibiotics to prevent any complications.

In some cases people who have recurring urine infections are treated with a low dose of antibiotic continually. This may help to prevent recurrences and to prevent spread to the kidney.

Further reading and references

Are Kidney Infections Serious What Is The Prognosis

Generally, urinary tract and kidney infections are common conditions with an overall favorable outlook.

  • A kidney infection can be managed at home if the infection is diagnosed and treated early with antibiotics.
  • Severe or complicated infections may require more intensive treatment and possible hospitalization.
  • Personal hygiene is important in the prevention of recurring kidney infections.
  • Cranberry juice is a simple natural remedy to prevent recurring kidney infections.

Rarely, serious complications from a kidney infection occur.

Are There Any Complications From A Kidney Infection

Most people who develop a kidney infection make a full recovery if treatment is given promptly. Possible complications which occur in a small number of cases include:

  • Sometimes germs from a kidney infection get into the bloodstream, particularly if treatment is delayed. This may cause blood poisoning . This can be serious or even life-threatening.
  • In pregnant women who develop pyelonephritis occasionally, it may result in the baby being born early or with a lower birth weight.
  • A kidney abscess can develop. This is a collection of pus that forms within the kidney.
  • The infection can sometimes cause some permanent damage to kidney tissues.

These complications are uncommon but may be more likely if:

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is also a rare complication. In this condition the kidney tissues are rapidly destroyed by the infection and the bacteria can release toxic gases which can build up in the kidneys. You become very unwell if you develop this complication. This complication seems mostly to affect people who have poorly controlled diabetes.

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Diagnosis For A Urinary Tract Infection

A licensed healthcare professional can diagnose a UTI. You may need to undergo the following tests or procedures in order to receive a positive diagnosis:

  • Urine sample: Your doctor may ask for a urine sample to examine white blood cells, red blood cells, or bacteria.
  • Lab analysis: The doctor determines which bacteria are causing the infection and decides which medication will work the best.
  • Computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scan: Your doctor may ask you to get one of these medical imaging techniques if youre experiencing frequent UTIs.
  • Cystoscopy: A medical procedure where a doctor inserts a tube with a lens to see inside your bladder.

Depending on the results of your tests or procedures, your healthcare provider will help you determine the best treatment option.

Treatments For A Urinary Tract Infection

5 Home Remedies For Urinary Tract Infections

The type of treatment you are prescribed and the length of time you need to take medicine depends on your health history and the type of bacteria found in your urine.

Medications

Doctors commonly prescribe antibiotics for urinary tract infections. Amoxicillin is a type of antibiotic medicine that stops the growth of bacteria in your urine.

Amoxicillin comes as a capsule, tablet, or liquid to be taken by mouth. The medicine is taken two or three times a day with or without food. If you have a UTI and are prescribed an antibiotic like amoxicillin, you should start feeling better within a few days. It is important to remember that even though your symptoms may start to subside within a few days, you should continue to take your medicine as prescribed by your doctor. The treatment length depends on your unique circumstances.

Home care

A healthy lifestyle that includes methods like regular bathing and good hygiene may help you control and prevent urinary tract infections. These techniques include:

  • Choosing NOT to use douche or feminine hygiene products containing perfumes
  • Avoiding bath oils

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Take An Epsom Salt Bath

Both Epsom salts and warm water can ease pain. This can help to make the uncomfortable side effects of the kidney infection a little more tolerable while you wait for the antibiotics to take effect.

Since abdominal pain is sometimes a symptom of antibiotics, as well as kidney infections, this could also help even after symptoms from the kidney infection are resolved. Read about how to make an Epsom salt detox bath, as well as potential side effects to keep in mind.

Home Remedies For Kidney Infection Cure

Kidney infection can lead to a serious health condition and sometimes it can be life-threatening. The doctor gives you heavy doses of antibiotics for a kidney infection.

There are many proven natural home remedies which can help you to cure kidney infection without antibiotic. But if you have severe symptoms of likes fever and sharp pain because of kidney infection then visit your doctor as soon as possible.

  • Keep Your Body Hydrated
  • Drinking lots of water is a good home remedy for a kidney infection. It can help you to get rid of the infection as well as prevent you from happening again. Drinking lots of water also help to prevent forming a kidney stone.

    Water helps to dilute urine and flush out bacteria through urination. We recommend you drink 8-10 glass of water daily. Make sure drinking water should be de-mineralized.

  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Apple cider vinegar is one of the best home remedies for a kidney infection. Due to the acidic nature of ACV, it helps to kill bacteria which can cause infection.

    • Take a tablespoon of ACV and add in one glass of water. Drink this diluted ACV after every three hours.
    • You can also mix 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water.
    • Drink this home remedy once in a day until you get rid of kidney infection.

    Read: Home Remedies for Passing Kidney Stones

  • Vitamin C
  • Baking Soda
  • Read: 10 Home Remedies for Urine Retention

  • Celery Seed Tea
  • Epsom Salt
  • Drink Lemon Juice
  • Cranberry Juice
  • Cucumber Water
  • Read Also: Can Kidney Stones Cause Constipation Or Diarrhea

    Diagnosing A Kidney Infection

    Most kidney infection diagnoses require a pee sample. Urinalysis will test for bacteria and white blood cells in your pee. A urine culture will determine what type of bacteria is to blame. This helps your doctor prescribe the right type of antibiotics.

    Your doc might also suggest an imaging test like an ultrasound or a computed tomography scan.

    What Are Urinary Tract Infection Risk Factors

    9 Home Remedies for Kidney Infection – Without Antibiotics

    There are many risk factors for UTIs. In general, any interruption or impedance of the usual flow of urine is a risk factor for a UTI. For example, kidney stones, urethral strictures, an enlarged prostate, or any anatomical abnormalities in the urinary tract increases infection risk. This is due in part to the flushing or washout effect of flowing urine in effect, the pathogens have to “go against flow” because the majority of pathogens enter through the urethra and have to go retrograde to reach the bladder, ureters, and eventually the kidneys. Many investigators suggest that women are far more susceptible than men to UTIs because their urethra is short and its exit is close to the anus and vagina, which can be sources of pathogens.

    People who require catheters have an increased risk as the catheter has none of the protective immune systems to eliminate bacteria and offers a direct connection to the bladder. Catheters that are designed to reduce the incidence of catheter-related infections are available , but are not used by many clinicians because of short-termed effectiveness, cost, and concern about antibiotic resistancedevelopment in bacteria.

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    Can I Prevent A Urinary Tract Infection

    You can usually prevent a urinary tract infection with lifestyle changes. These tips can include:

    In some post-menopausal women, a healthcare provider may suggest an estrogen-containing vaginal cream. This may reduce the risk of developing a UTI by changing the pH of the vagina. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have recurrent UTIs and have already gone through menopause.

    Over-the-counter supplements are also available for UTIs. These are sometimes recommended for people who have frequent UTIs as another way to prevent them. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting any supplements and ask if these could be a good choice for you.

    How To Use Nitrofurantoin Capsule

    Take this medication by mouth, with food or milk, as directed by your doctor. This medication is usually taken four times daily to treat an infection or once daily at bedtime to prevent infections. Swallow the medication whole. Avoid using magnesium trisilicate-containing antacids while taking this medication. Magnesium trisilicate-containing antacids bind with nitrofurantoin, preventing its full absorption.

    Dosage and duration is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. For children, the dosage is also based on body weight.

    For the best effect, take this antibiotic at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time every day.

    When taking this medication to prevent infection, take it exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not skip doses or stop taking it without your doctor’s approval. Inform your doctor if you notice signs of a new urinary tract infection .

    If you are taking this medication to treat an infection, continue to take this medication until the full-prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow, which may result in a relapse of the infection. Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

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    How Long Does It Take For Antibiotics To Work For Kidney Inf

    Just been prescribed ciprofloxacin for kidney infection wondering how long it take to work, was told 48 hours by GP but still feel really ill after 4 days. Never had this before so not sure how long it will last.

    1 like, 43 replies

  • Posted 12 years ago

    I just went to the Emergency room last night in so much pain. I was on your same antibiotic for 3 days and it had not helped one bit yet. They retested my urine and it was still heavely infected. They had to put me on IV antibiotics. I’m hoping it clears it up! I still feel awful. Heading back to the ER for my second round of IV antibiotics in an hour. Hopefully it works sooooooon!!

  • Posted 6 years ago

    Antibiotics don’t work in 3-4 days for a kidney infection. I was in hospital for 4 days followed b a 7 day course of pivmillcium 4 times a day. I then had a relapse and had to have a further 14 days for 3 times a day.

    The antibiotics in themselves are pretty bad for sickness and diarrhoea so its a rough ride

  • Posted 5 years ago

    Thanks for your post. It helps me. I am currently being treated for what they think is a kidney infection and I have only had 10 days of antibiotics. It is much better but not totally gone, so I will go back and see if they will put me on antibiotics longer. It’s good to hear other people’s experiences. It’s otherwise scary.

  • Can I Become Immune To The Antibiotics Used To Treat A Uti

    What antibiotics for a kidney infection â Health Blog

    Your body can actually get used to the antibiotics typically used to treat a urinary tract infection . This happens in people who have very frequent infections. With each UTI and use of antibiotics to treat it, the infection adapts and becomes harder to fight. This is called an antibiotic-resistant infection. Because of this, your healthcare provider may suggest alternative treatments if you have frequent UTIs. These could include:

    • Waiting: Your provider may suggest that you watch your symptoms and wait. During this time, you may be encouraged to drink plenty of fluids in an effort to flush out your system.
    • Intravenous treatment: In some very complicated cases, where the UTI is resistant to antibiotics or the infection has moved to your kidneys, you may need to be treated in the hospital. The medicine will be given to you directly in your vein . Once youre home, you will be prescribed antibiotics for a period of time to fully get rid of the infection.

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    When To See Your Gp

    See your GP if you have a fever and persistent tummy, lower back or genital pain, or if you notice a change to your usual pattern of urination.

    Most kidney infections need prompt treatment with antibiotics to stop the infection from damaging the kidneys or spreading to the bloodstream. You may also need painkillers.

    If you’re especially vulnerable to the effects of an infection for example, if you have a pre-existing health condition or are pregnant, you may be admitted to hospital and treated with antibiotics through an intravenous drip.

    After taking antibiotics, you should feel completely better after about two weeks.

    In rare cases, a kidney infection can cause further problems. These include blood poisoning and a build-up of pus in the kidney called an abscess.

    Read more about treating a kidney infection and the complications of a kidney infection

    What Are The Causes Of Kidney Infection

    A kidney infection is caused by bacteria, often E. coli. They get into your urethra and move up to your bladder and ureter and then into your kidneys. Often you will have a urinary tract infection or cystitis at the same time or before you have a kidney infection. However, you can develop a kidney infection without a UTI or cystitis if you have kidney stones, diabetes or a weakened immune system.

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    Whats The Difference Between A Urinary Tract Infection And Bladder Infection

    A urinary tract infection is a more general type of infection. There are many parts of your urinary tract. A UTI is a term for an infection that takes place throughout the urinary tract. A bladder infection, also called cystitis, is a specific infection. In this infection, bacteria makes its way into the bladder and causes inflammation.

    Not all urinary tract infections become bladder infections. Preventing the spread of the infection is one of the most important reasons to treat a UTI quickly when you have symptoms. The infection can spread not only to the bladder, but also into your kidneys, which is a more complicated type of infection than a UTI.

    Risk Factors For A Kidney Infection

    Prevention and Treatment of Kidney Infections Medical Course

    There are a few things that can up your risk factor of contracting a kidney infection, according to the Mayo Clinic, and some you have zero control over:

    • Having avagina. The urethra, that small tube that carries urine out of your body, is shorter in people with vaginas than it is in people with penises. That makes it easier for bacteria to travel from outside your body into the bladder. Your urethra is also close to your vagina and anus, which opens you up to more chances that bacteria from one of those areas will get into your urinary tract.

    • Having something blocking your urinary tract. That can be anything that slows down the flow of urine or makes it hard for you to fully empty your bladder when you pee, like a kidney stone.

    • Having a weak immune system. Having an underlying medical condition like diabetes or HIV, or using medications that tamp down on your immune system, can increase your risk.

    Other potential risk factors include having damage to the nerves around your bladder, using a urinary catheter for the first time, and having a condition like vesicoureteral reflux, which causes urine to flow the wrong way, the Mayo Clinic says.

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    Signs Of A Kidney Infection To Know And When To Go To The Hospital

    Youre probably not constantly on the lookout for signs of a kidney infection. But getting a urinary tract infection can open you up to also getting an infection in one or both kidneys, which means this is an illness that should be on your radar. Yep, it’s an unfortunate truth: A urinary tract infection can lead to a kidney infection, which is medically known as pyelonephritis and can be incredibly serious. So if youre experiencing symptoms of a UTI and thinking, Eh, I can wait a few more days to get those antibiotics, think again. Heres what you need to know about the signs of a kidney infection, its underlying causes, why its so important to get treatment as soon as you can, and more.

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