About Pyelonephritis
Key Highlights
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Expert management by a kidney specialist (nephrologist) ensures accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment.Prompt antibiotic therapy helps eradicate the infection and prevent serious complications like kidney damage or sepsis.Comprehensive evaluation identifies underlying causes (e.g., kidney stones, anatomical issues) to prevent recurrence.Personalized care plan includes monitoring kidney function and managing symptoms like fever and pain.Focus on preserving long-term kidney health and preventing chronic kidney disease.
Who is this surgery for?
- Symptoms of a kidney infection: high fever, chills, flank pain (pain in the back or side), nausea, and vomiting.
- Urinary symptoms: burning sensation during urination, frequent urination, or cloudy/foul-smelling urine.
- Recurrent or complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- Presence of risk factors: pregnancy, diabetes, kidney stones, or a weakened immune system.
- Abnormal urinalysis or urine culture results indicating a kidney infection.
- Suspected or confirmed anatomical abnormalities of the urinary tract.
How to prepare
- Provide a complete medical history, including details of recent illnesses, medications, and allergies.
- Undergo a physical examination focusing on the abdomen and back for tenderness.
- Provide a clean-catch midstream urine sample for urinalysis and culture.
- Fast if blood tests are required, as per the doctor's instructions.
- For imaging tests like a CT scan, you may need to drink contrast material or follow specific preparation guidelines.
- Inform your nephrologist if you are pregnant or suspect you might be.
Risks & possible complications
- Progression to sepsis, a life-threatening systemic infection.
- Formation of a kidney abscess (a pocket of pus).
- Permanent kidney scarring (renal scarring) which can lead to chronic kidney disease or hypertension.
- Recurrent episodes of pyelonephritis.
- Risks associated with antibiotics, such as allergic reactions, diarrhea, or yeast infections.
- In rare, severe cases, acute kidney injury.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Complete the full course of prescribed antibiotics even if symptoms improve, to prevent recurrence.
- Drink plenty of fluids (water) to help flush bacteria from the urinary system.
- Get adequate rest to help your body fight the infection.
- Use pain relievers as recommended by your doctor to manage fever and flank pain.
- Follow up with your nephrologist for repeat urine tests to ensure the infection is cleared.
- Report any worsening symptoms, such as persistent high fever or increased pain, immediately.
- Adopt preventive measures like proper hydration and good bathroom hygiene to reduce future risk.
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Typical hospital stay: 0-7 days
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Expected recovery time: 1-2 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering pyelonephritis in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for pyelonephritis in India include Miot Hospital Chennai, Cytecare Hospital, Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform pyelonephritis. MediFyr helps you compare nephrologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for pyelonephritis compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Pyelonephritis in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated nephrology teams and experience managing patients undergoing pyelonephritis.
Robert Gupta, a 58-year-old accountant, had...
Robert Gupta, a 58-year-old accountant, had been managing type 2 diabetes for 15 years. Over three days, he developed a high fever (103°F), intense left flank pain that made sitting at his desk unbearable, nausea, and painful urination. His primary care physician, alarmed by his fever and history of recurrent UTIs, urgently referred him to a nephrologist, Dr. Chen. Dr. Chen diagnosed acute pyelonephritis, likely complicated by his diabetes, and admitted him to the hospital. Robert received intravenous antibiotics (ceftriaxone) for 48 hours, which rapidly reduced his fever and pain. He was discharged on a 14-day course of oral antibiotics. After two weeks, a follow-up urine culture was clear. Emotionally, Robert was frightened, worrying about permanent kidney damage and his ability to control his diabetes. Post-recovery, he felt profound relief and a new commitment to stricter glucose monitoring and hydration, viewing the episode as a serious warning heeded.
Nephrologists for Pyelonephritis
Explore experienced nephrologists who regularly perform pyelonephritis and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 17 Years Experience
- Nephrologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 5 Years Experience
- Nephrologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 13 Years Experience
- Nephrologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 15 Years Experience
- Nephrologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- Nephrologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 34 Years Experience
- Nephrologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 17 Years Experience
- Nephrologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Nephrologist
- 16 Years Experience
- Nephrologist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Nephrologist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Nephrologist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 44 Years Experience
- Nephrologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 35 Years Experience
- Nephrologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 18 Years Experience
- Nephrologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 27 Years Experience
- Nephrologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 26 Years Experience
- Nephrologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 27 Years Experience
- Nephrologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 20 Years Experience
- Nephrologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- Nephrologist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 9 Years Experience
- Nephrologist
Manipal Hospital Mysore, Mysore