Pyelonephritis
The best way to prevent a kidney infection is tokeep your bladder and urethra free from bacteria.
These self-help tips explain howyou can do this.
Drinking plenty of liquids, particularly water, will help to wash bacteria from your bladder and urinary tract.
Drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry extracts may also help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) .However, you shouldavoid cranberry juice or extracts if you're taking warfarin , a medicine used to prevent blood clots.Cranberry juice can make the effects of warfarin more potent, so there's a risk of excessive bleeding.
To help keep yoururinary tractfree from bacteria:
Constipation can increase your chances of developing a urinary tract infection(UTI), sotry totreatany constipationpromptly.
Recommended treatments for constipationinclude:
Seeyour GP if your symptoms don't improve after 14 days (or seven days for children with constipation).
Read moreabout treatingconstipation .
If youkeep gettingUTIs (more than threea yearis considered high), avoid using spermicide-coated condoms or diaphragms . This is because spermicide can stimulate the production of bacteria.
Stick tolubricated condoms without spermicide,because unlubricated ones can irritate the urethra and make it more vulnerable to infection.
A kidney infection (pyelonephritis) is a painful and unpleasant illness caused by bacteria travelling from your bladder into one or both of your kidneys
The symptoms of a kidney infection usually develop quite quickly over a few hours or days.
A kidney infection happens when bacteria enters and infects one or both of your kidneys.
To work out if you have a kidney infection, your GP will ask you about your symptoms and your recent medical history.
Most people with a kidney infection can be treated at home by taking a course of antibiotics, and possibly painkillers as well.
Most kidney infections are treated successfully without any complications, although some people may develop further problems.
The best way to prevent a kidney infection is to keep your bladder and urethra free from bacteria.