What does pyelonephritis refer to?

Pyelonephritis refers to a severe infection of the kidney. This condition usually occurs when bacteria travel up from the urinary tract to one or both kidneys, causing inflammation and significant symptoms. It can lead to serious complications if not treated promptly, such as kidney damage or bloodstream infection. The severity of the infection is characterized by symptoms that can include fever, chills, back pain, and frequent urination.

In terms of understanding related conditions, mild kidney infections would generally be classified differently and may not be considered pyelonephritis, while chronic kidney disease pertains to a gradual loss of kidney function over time, rather than an acute infectious process. A kidney stone condition refers specifically to the formation of solid deposits within the kidney and does not involve an infectious process like pyelonephritis. Therefore, the definition of pyelonephritis is distinctly tied to the severity and nature of kidney infections rather than these other kidney-related issues.