Kidney infections take place when certain bacteria travel from the bladder up in to the kidneys. Bacteria can also come from the urethra, which is the tube that connects the two where the urine passes through. The scientific name for a kidney infection is pyelonephritis. Common symptoms usually include a high body temperature, lower abdominal pain, nausea and sometimes diarrhea. The kidneys can be described as two oddly shaped organs either side of the body - not far from the underside of the rib cage. The main function of the kidneys is to filtrate any waste produce from the blood before it converts to urine. In most cases of an infection, it is only usually one kidney that becomes affected.

Kidney infections are not all that common, but are predominantly more common in women than in men. Pregnant women and those that are over the age of 60 are also more prone to contracting the problem. In most cases a kidney infection does not pose any serious health risks. Treatment through use of antibiotics can quickly relieve any symptoms. In more severe cases of the problem admission in to hospital may be necessary where antibiotics can then be administered intravenously. There are small risks of serious problems occurring through infections of the kidneys, poisoning of the blood and abscesses can on occasion become life threatening. Fortunately deaths that occur from kidney infections are at an all time low and are very rare in modern medicine. Through use of antibiotics the problem should be easily treatable and pose no further health risks.