Pyelonephritis: Often Mistaken for a Common Cold
1Fever and chills may signal pyelonephritis, a kidney infection.
2Women are at higher risk due to anatomical susceptibility to bacteria.
3Ignoring it can lead to sepsis, a life-threatening systemic infection.
📖 Easy Explanation
🔍 Background
When it's chilly and you have chills or a fever, it's easy to assume it's just a cold. However, it could be pyelonephritis, an infection caused by bacteria entering the kidneys, which act as our body's filters.
📌 Key Points
Pyelonephritis is characterized by high fever over 38°C and pain in the back or sides. Women are more prone to it because their shorter urethras allow bacteria to reach the kidneys more easily. Relying only on cold medicine can worsen the condition.
💡 Why It Matters
If you experience pain during urination or frequent urges along with a fever, see a doctor immediately. Drinking plenty of water and not holding in urine are the best ways to prevent this infection.
📚 Glossary
신우신염 (Pyelonephritis)An inflammation of the kidney's pelvis and parenchyma caused by bacterial infection.
요로 감염 (Urinary Tract Infection)An infection in any part of the urinary system, including the bladder or kidneys.
패혈증 (Sepsis)A life-threatening condition caused by the body's extreme response to an infection.