Final answer:
Pyelonephritis is a kidney infection often caused by the spread of bacteria from the urinary tract to the kidneys, leading to symptoms like fever and back pain. It can cause acute renal failure or progress to Stage 5 chronic kidney disease if not appropriately treated with antibiotics. Glomerulonephritis, another form of kidney inflammation, differs in that it affects the kidney's filtering units and can be due to immune responses.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pyelonephritis is a serious kidney infection that usually arises when bacteria travel from a lower urinary tract infection into the kidneys. Common symptoms of pyelonephritis include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, lower back pain, and frequent painful urination. If untreated, the infection can lead to acute renal failure or progress to Stage 5 chronic kidney disease, which is a severe impairment of kidney function.
Diagnosis involves a urinalysis to check for signs of infection, such as leukocyte esterase and nitrite levels, and a urine culture to identify the type of bacteria. Imaging may be required in certain cases to evaluate for obstructions or other kidney issues. Treatment generally consists of antibiotics, and in severe cases, may require hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics.
Unlike pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the glomeruli within the kidneys, which can be due to immune responses to infections like Streptococcus pyogenes. It can be acute or chronic, and treatment varies depending on the underlying cause.