Infections & Kidney

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Any infection in the body can effect kidney. 

The predilection of such infection towards kidney is more in cases of urinary tract infections so called urine infection in lay mans language. 

Infection some where but how come kidney gets affected?

During an infection our body releases many molecules to neutralise infection causing organisms, these molecules which defend the body if in excess can sometimes cause damage  sensitive areas like kidney and lungs. (Like what happens during a war )

Once the infection is controlled with or without antibiotics every thing settles back taking varied time depending on amount of local damage.

Sometimes infections can directly invade the kidney and affect it. 

If no underlying kidney disease with subsidence of infection kidney function returns to normal (ARF).

In chronic renal failure patients with elevated creatinine every infection can cause insult to already injured kidney and a permanent loss of some function. 

With each infection some loss in kidney function is there and at one time goes to stage of Dialysis. 

A severe infection when uncontrolled can also lead to immediate renal failure which can be permanent. 

So CKD patients should be cautious with infections and present themselves to nephrologist with even a slightest suspicion of it or if fever is present because most of them are silent infections with continuing damage.

Urinary tract infections (UTI) and treatments 

UTI is invasion by organisms along the urinary system anywhere from kidney to urethra.

UTI are common in females, elderly females tend to have recurrences. 

Any UTI in males, diabetics and people with urinary tract disorders are deemed complicated and needs evaluation and thorough treatment. 

Except in young females short course treatments are not advised, they may even be harmful due to emergence of resistant organisms.

Any complicated UTI as said above needs full course treatment and prophylaxis if needed. 

Partial treatments lead to emergence of resistance and recurrences, so no self treatments unless advised so. 

Even Doctors do give substandard doses and courses for UTI, this may please the patients but harmful in the long run. 

Oral drugs are less effective in treating UTI and intravenous drugs are a must in many cases, the treatments should be guided by culture and sensitivity reports.

Always consult a Nephrologist for complicated or recurrent UTI's.

Be cautious with UTI as it may lead to renal failure even if silent.