While sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) do not directly infect the kidneys, there is an important indirect relationship between certain STDs and the potential development of a kidney infection. This article explores the nature of kidney infections and how STDs can increase this risk.
Understanding Kidney Infections
A kidney infection, medically known as pyelonephritis, is a type of urinary tract infection (UTI) that affects one or both kidneys. Kidneys are bean-shaped organs located on each side of the spine, below the ribs, and they play a role in filtering waste products from the blood to produce urine. This urine then travels through ureters to the bladder and exits the body via the urethra.
Kidney infections occur when bacteria, most commonly Escherichia coli (E. coli), enter the urinary tract through the urethra. These bacteria multiply in the bladder, causing a bladder infection (cystitis). If untreated, the bacteria can ascend from the bladder through the ureters and reach the kidneys, leading to infection.
Symptoms of a kidney infection include a high fever, chills, persistent pain in the back or side (flank pain), and a general feeling of being unwell. Other signs are nausea, vomiting, and changes in urination patterns, such as frequent or painful urination. A kidney infection is more serious than a lower UTI and requires prompt medical attention.
The Link Between STDs and Kidney Infections
Sexually transmitted diseases do not cause kidney infections by directly infecting kidney tissue. Instead, certain STDs create conditions that make an individual more susceptible to developing a urinary tract infection, which can then progress to a kidney infection if left untreated. This chain of events involves the disruption of the urinary system’s natural defenses.
STDs like Chlamydia and Gonorrhea can cause inflammation and infection in the urethra, the tube responsible for carrying urine out of the body. In women, these infections can also affect the cervix. This inflammation or infection in the lower urinary or genital tract increases the likelihood of bacteria entering and multiplying within the urinary system.
When an STD-related inflammation or infection is present, it can compromise the body’s usual mechanisms for flushing out bacteria from the urethra and bladder. This makes it easier for common urinary tract bacteria, such as E. coli, to establish an infection in the bladder. Women are particularly susceptible due to their shorter urethras, which provide a shorter pathway for bacteria to ascend from the outside environment into the bladder.
If a UTI facilitated by an STD is not promptly diagnosed and treated, bacteria can continue to travel upwards from the bladder to the kidneys. The kidney infection itself is a complication of an untreated UTI, which may have been initiated or made more likely by the presence of an STD. Addressing any reproductive or urinary tract symptoms is important.
Recognizing Symptoms and Seeking Care
Recognizing the symptoms of a kidney infection is important for timely medical intervention. These infections often manifest with intense and sudden symptoms, differing from milder lower urinary tract infections. Individuals may experience a high fever, often accompanied by chills and shivering. A hallmark symptom is persistent and severe pain in the back or side (flank pain), typically just below the ribs. Nausea and vomiting are also common. Changes in urination, such as increased frequency, a strong urge, or a burning sensation, can also indicate a kidney infection.
If these symptoms appear, particularly the combination of fever and back pain, seeking immediate medical attention is important. Untreated kidney infections can lead to serious health complications, including permanent kidney damage, high blood pressure, and in severe cases, the spread of bacteria into the bloodstream causing sepsis. Prompt diagnosis and treatment help prevent these severe outcomes.
Prevention and Treatment Approaches
Preventing kidney infections involves a two-pronged approach: preventing sexually transmitted infections and promptly treating any urinary tract infections. Practicing safe sex, including consistent condom use, and undergoing regular STD testing helps reduce the risk of acquiring STDs that can indirectly lead to UTIs. Addressing STDs early can break the chain of events that might lead to a kidney infection.
Beyond STD prevention, addressing any suspected urinary tract infection symptoms without delay is important. Drinking plenty of fluids, particularly water, helps flush bacteria from the urinary system and can aid in preventing UTIs from ascending to the kidneys. Ignoring UTI symptoms allows bacteria more time to multiply and potentially spread to the upper urinary tract.
Treatment for a kidney infection involves a course of antibiotics to eliminate the bacterial infection. The specific antibiotic chosen depends on the type of bacteria causing the infection and local resistance patterns, with common options including trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, amoxicillin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, or cephalexin. In more severe cases, or if individuals are unable to take oral medication, antibiotics may be administered intravenously in a hospital setting. Completing the entire prescribed course of antibiotics, even if symptoms improve, is important to ensure the infection is fully eradicated and to prevent recurrence or antibiotic resistance.