The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each

about the size of a fist. They are located just

below the rib cage, one on each side of your

spine.Healthy kidneys filter about a half cup of

blood every minute, removing wastes and extra

water to make urine. The urine flows from the

kidneys to the bladder through two thin tubes of

muscle called ureters, one on each side of your

bladder. Your bladder stores urine. Your

kidneys, ureters, and bladder are part of your

urinary tract.
Scientists believe that most kidney infections start
as a bladder infection that moves upstream to
infect one or both of your kidneys. Most often,
the infection is caused by bacteria that normally
live in your bowel. The urinary tract has several
ways to prevent infection from moving up the
urinary tract. For example, urination most often
flushes out bacteria before it reaches the bladder.
Sometimes your body can’t fight the bacteria and
the bacteria cause a UTI. If you don’t get medical
treatment to stop the infection, the bacteria may
infect your kidneys.In some cases, your blood can
carry bacteria or viruses from another part of
your body to your kidneys.
Symptoms of kidney infections vary by age. Symptoms
may includechillsfeverpain in your back, side, or
groinnauseavomitingcloudy, dark, bloody, or foul-
smelling urinefrequent, painful urination

Treatment:AntibioticsIf you're being treated at home,

you'll usually be prescribed a course of antibiotic tablets
or capsules that lasts between 7 and 14 days.

PainkillersTaking a painkiller such as paracetamol

should help relieve symptoms of pain and a high
temperature.However, anti-inflammatory painkillers
(NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen are not normally
recommended for a kidney infection – they may
increase the risk of further kidney problems so should
not be taken unless advised by a doctor. A doctor may
only prescribe these in certain circumstances.