The difference between pyelonephritis and nephritis

Written by Niu Yan Lin
Nephrology
Updated on September 30, 2024
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Pyelonephritis and nephritis are two completely different diseases. Pyelonephritis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria, viruses, mycoplasma, chlamydia, etc. Treatment generally requires the use of antibiotics. The vast majority of patients can fully recover within two weeks under the treatment of sensitive antibiotics, without any sequelae. On the other hand, nephritis is mostly an autoimmune disease, not an infectious disease caused by pathogens. Therefore, its treatment does not require the use of antibiotics. Treatment usually involves ACE inhibitors or ARB type RUSH blockers, glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, cytotoxic drugs, etc., and the course of nephritis is relatively long, with some patients having relatively poor prognosis. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Pan Wu Shan
Nephrology
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Can pyelonephritis lead to pregnancy?

Pyelonephritis is actually a urinary tract infection. It is not the same as nephritis, so do not confuse the two. Thus, pregnancy is completely feasible for someone with pyelonephritis; as long as the infection is treated, the urine test shows negative results, and there are no white blood cells, pregnancy can occur without any impact. Currently, the treatment for pyelonephritis is anti-infection therapy. Since the bacteria have entered the kidney via the urethra, this treatment needs to last for two weeks. If the treatment duration is insufficient, there could be a recurrence of pyelonephritis. Additionally, it is important to drink plenty of water, urinate frequently, avoid holding urine, consume more than 2500 milliliters of water daily, and maintain a light diet avoiding spicy and irritating foods.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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How to diagnose pyelonephritis?

For the diagnosis of pyelonephritis, it is first necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Generally, patients should first undergo routine urine tests. In these tests, the presence of white blood cells and positive nitrites, along with clinical symptoms such as back pain, blood in urine, and fever are common. A routine blood test often shows elevated white blood cells and C-reactive protein. These indicators together suggest the presence of pyelonephritis. Furthermore, a culture of a clean-catch midstream urine sample can be done. If the bacteria grow to a certain quantity, it can also help in confirming the diagnosis of pyelonephritis. Additionally, to assess complications associated with pyelonephritis, it is necessary to perform blood tests for kidney function and an ultrasound of the urinary system to rule out conditions such as acute renal failure, renal papillary necrosis, and perinephric abscess, among others.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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What causes acute pyelonephritis?

Acute pyelonephritis, also known as an upper urinary tract infection, occurs when certain pathogens enter the urinary system and cause inflammation in areas such as the renal pelvis and calyces. Patients typically exhibit symptoms such as fever, back pain, and may also experience visible blood in the urine. The condition often has a severe onset. The common pathogens causing this type of infection primarily include bacteria, fungi, and viruses, among which the vast majority of cases are caused by bacterial infections. Furthermore, Gram-negative bacilli constitute the majority of these bacteria, with Escherichia coli being the most common.

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Written by Li Liu Sheng
Nephrology
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How is pyelonephritis treated?

Whether it is the treatment of acute pyelonephritis or chronic pyelonephritis, first of all, personal hygiene should be emphasized, physical fitness should be enhanced, water intake should be increased, and urination should be frequent. In addition, for patients with acute pyelonephritis, the main treatment is the use of sensitive antibiotics, which can be either semi-synthetic penicillin or cephalosporins, and fluoroquinolone antibiotics can also be used. For chronic pyelonephritis, if the patient has urinary anatomical or functional abnormalities, such as the presence of urinary stones or urinary obstruction, active surgical treatment can be considered to relieve the obstruction. Furthermore, patients with chronic pyelonephritis who also have hypertension and edema can appropriately use antihypertensive drugs and diuretics to control blood pressure and edema, which can play a role in protecting kidney function. (The use of medications should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Niu Yan Lin
Nephrology
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The difference between pyelonephritis and nephritis

Pyelonephritis and nephritis are two completely different diseases. Pyelonephritis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria, viruses, mycoplasma, chlamydia, etc. Treatment generally requires the use of antibiotics. The vast majority of patients can fully recover within two weeks under the treatment of sensitive antibiotics, without any sequelae. On the other hand, nephritis is mostly an autoimmune disease, not an infectious disease caused by pathogens. Therefore, its treatment does not require the use of antibiotics. Treatment usually involves ACE inhibitors or ARB type RUSH blockers, glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, cytotoxic drugs, etc., and the course of nephritis is relatively long, with some patients having relatively poor prognosis. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)