An infection that scared the living hell out of me..

What is Kidney Infection?

After i discovered that I have Kidney Infection, it worried me so much that I started doing research on all sorts of infection, but mainly now I would like to brief you on the Causes of Kidney Infection:

Kidney infection, also known as pyelonephritis, is a type of urinary tract infection (UTI) typically caused by E. coli bacteria. The bacteria may have spread from the bladder or the urethra to one of the kidneys, infecting it. The urethra is a tube which transports urine from the bladder outside the body.

Kidney infection, if not treated promptly, can lead to serious complications, including kidney damage and sepsis (blood poisoning). It is usually treated with antibiotics. In many cases, patients with kidney infection are hospitalized.

What are the causes of kidney infections and the risk factors associated with it?

Weakened immune systems - some patients with weakened immune systems may have a bacterial or fungal infection on their skin which eventually gets into the bloodstream and attacks the kidneys, causing an infection there.

The urethra - Alternatively, the pathogen (e.g bacteria) may get into the urethra and reproduce in the bladder, infecting it. The infection may then spread into the kidneys.

Toilet hygiene - after going to the toilet and using toilet paper to wipe one's anus, there may be contact with the genitals, resulting in an infection getting through and working its way up to the kidneys. The infection could also enter via the anus - E. coli, a type of bacteria, can exist in the colon and eventually cause a kidney infection.

Female physiology - women are more vulnerable bladder infections and ultimately kidney infections than men, because their urethra is shorter, making it easier for infections to reach parts of the urinary tract more quickly.

Urinary catheter - a urinary catheter is a tube that is inserted into the bladder through the urethra to drain our urine. Having a urinary catheter raises the risk of developing a urinary tract infection, including kidney infection.

Kidney stones - individuals with kidney stones have a higher risk of developing kidney infection. Kidney stones are the result of a build-up of dissolved minerals on the inner lining of the kidneys.

Enlarged prostate - males with an enlarged prostate have a higher risk of developing kidney infections.

Sexually active females - if sexual intercourse irritates the urethra there may be a higher risk of bacteria getting inside the urinary tract, and eventually reaching the kidneys.