Diseases

Kidney Infection (Upper Urinary Tract Infection)

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A kidney infection is a type of urinary tract infection (uti). Most kidney infections are caused by bacteria or viruses that first infect your lower urinary tract, usually your bladder. Then, the infection moves upstream to one or both of your kidneys, which are part of the upper urinary tract.

SYMPTOMS

Fever, frequent urination and pain in the back, side or groin are symptoms.

CAUSES

Bacteria that enter your urinary tract through the tube that carries urine from your body (urethra) can multiply and travel to your kidneys. This is the most common cause of kidney infections. Bacteria from an infection elsewhere in your body also can spread through your bloodstream to your kidneys.