| General
Illness Information |
_files/spacer.gif)
Medical Term: |
Kidney Infection,
Chronic (Pyelonephritis, Chronic) |
|
Common Name: |
None Specified |
| Description: |
Chronic infection of the kidneys,
resulting from anatomic abnormalities of the kidneys or the urinary
system.
|
| Causes: |
Chronic pyelonephritis occurs only in
patients with major anatomic abnormalities, such as obstructive
uropathy, kidney stones, or, most commonly, reflux of urine at
the junction of the bladder and ureter. |
| Prevention: |
Obtain
prompt medical treatment for acute kidney infections, including 2 or
more weeks of antibiotic treatment. Don't discontinue prescribed
medication even if symptoms disappear after a few days of
treatment.
Obtain
treatment for any abnormality of the urinary tract that causes
infection.
|
| Signs
& Symptoms |
![]() |
Usually
no signs or symptoms, unlike acute kidney
infections |
_files/bullet.black.gif) |
Symptoms and signs (e.g., fever, flank or
abdominal pain) are often vague and
inconsistent | |
| Risk
Factors |
|
|
| Diagnosis & Treatment |
For
diagnosis, urinalysis and urine culture; cytoscopy (visual
examination of the inside of the urinary bladder by means of a
cystoscope, a slender optical instrument with a lighted tip);
ultrasound; intravenous pyelogram (IVP). Other special tests
may be recommended.
|
| General
Measures: |
|
Follow
your treatment plan carefully. This may not be easy for an
illness that causes few symptoms in the early
stages. |
|
Surgery
to relieve obstruction or malformation in the urinary
tract, if one exists. | |
| Medications: |
|
Antibiotics
for months or years - if ongoing infection is
present. | |
| Activity: |
|
No
restriction. | |
| Diet: |
|
No
restriction. | |
| Possible
Complications : |
|
Untreated, chronic pyelonephritis
can lead to renal failure. |
|
Hypertension. | |
| Prognosis |
| Prognosis depends on the
state of the kidneys at diagnosis.
Early infections, malformations and
abnormalities if treated in time will result in excellent
prognosis. | |
| Other |
|
|