Osmosis video - Acute pyelonephritis

Acute pyelonephritis is a sudden, severe infection of the kidney. The infection may be caused by bacteria that travel up from the bladder or bacteria circulating in the blood (bacteremia). Symptoms of acute pyelonephritis can include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and pain in the lower back and sides. If left untreated, acute pyelonephritis can lead to serious complications like sepsis (a potentially life-threatening condition caused by infection).