Pelvic inflammation

Pelvic inflammation

Pyelonephritis is an infection with bacteria in the renal pelvis. The most common cause of pyelonephritis is that you first had an infection in the urinary bladder. Pelvic inflammation often causes fever, chills and pain in addition to the usual symptoms of cystitis.

What is pyelonephritis?

Pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection of the upper urinary tract, renal pelvis and kidneys. As a rule, pyelonephritis is caused by an infection in the lower urinary tract, cystitis, which has spread further upwards to the kidneys and renal pelvis.

• Symptoms

• High fever

• Freezing

• Back pain

• Pain over the kidneys with radiation to the pelvis

• Often blood in the urine

• Nausea/vomiting

• Impaired general condition

• Frequent and painful urination as in cystitis

Children and the elderly may have more diffuse symptoms, where fever and weakness may be the only symptoms.

Treatment

Pelvic inflammation is treated with antibiotics for 7-14 days. In the case of repeated infections, long-term treatment may be appropriate.

It is important to start the treatment of urinary tract infection as soon as possible to avoid complications. This is particularly important in young children, because kidney damage can occur quickly, especially in the first year of life.

When should you contact a doctor in case of pyelonephritis?

• In case of suspicion of renal pelvis inflammation.

• If you receive antibiotics for pyelonephritis and do not notice any improvement within 2-3 days. You may need to switch to a different type of antibiotic.

• If you are pregnant and think you may have a urinary tract infection.

• If you have children who you think may have a urinary tract infection.

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Sources: Norwegian drug handbook for healthcare personnel, Patient handbook, Norwegian electronic medical handbook,