Upper Urinary Tract Infections: Symptoms of Acute Pyelonephritis

Each year, millions of women suffer from complications associated with urinary tract infections. For many women, the urological health complication is resolved following the course of antibiotics specifically identified to restore a healthy urinary tract.

For some women, and men, the complications of a urinary tract infection go well beyond that of a simple antibiotic remedy. Known as acute pyelonephritis, women, and occasionally men, will suffer from this painful urinary tract complication. In most cases, the complication can be easily resolved provided there are no chronic complications involving the urinary tract and kidney function.

The complications of acute pyelonephritis come about when diagnosis is missed by the healthcare professional. When not diagnosed properly, complications of a more severe nature may ensure; including, abscess development on the kidneys and even sepsis.

So how do you know if you suffer from an upper urinary tract infection, such as acute pyelonephritis. Like most UTI infections, a complication associated with pyelonephritis will present with complication with urination, including burning and pain, but symptoms will also include nausea, vomiting, chest pain and even fever.

To diagnose acute pyelonephritis, your physician will need to conduct a urinalysis which may be more expanded that the traditional in-office urinalysis done with typical UTI symptoms. Specifically, your doctor will want to look at the nitrite levels, the leukocyte levels, and look for evidence of high white blood cell count.

When confirmed as acute pyelonephritis, most physicians will recommend hospitalization to resolve the condition through the administration of IV antibiotics. However, with advances in antibiotic therapy, the use of prescription drugs known as fluoroquinolones are quite effective and, in many cases, Cipro can be prescribed and is generally administered for seven to 10 days.