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Ways to prevent kidney infection (pyelonephritis).

There are several ways that you can do to prevent occurrence or recurrent kidney infection.

 Drink plenty of fluids, preferably water. By drinking lots of water, bacteria will be flushed out of the urinary tract when you urinate.
***Note***If you have other conditions such as hypertension, talk with your doctor before markedly increasing your fluid intake.

 Drink cranberry juice or take vitamin C. both of these increase the acid in your urine so bacteria can’t easily grow. Cranberry juice also makes your bladder wall slippery, so bacteria can’t stick to it.

 Urinate when you feel the need to go to the bathroom. Empty your bladder completely. Bacteria can grow when urine stays in the bladder too long.

 Wipe from front to back after using the toilet—for women. Wipe from front to back, especially after a bowel movement, to prevent bacteria around the anus from entering the vagina or urethra.

 Take showers instead of tub baths.

 Avoid using feminine hygiene sprays and scented douches, especially if they cause irritation of the urethra.

 Wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothes so that air can keep the area dry. Avoid tightfitting jeans and nylon underwear, which trap moisture and allows bacteria to grow.

References for the Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis) article:

National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (August 2007). What I need to know about Urinary Tract Infections. Web URL: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/uti_ez/index.htm. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. National Institutes of Health. NIH Publication No. 07—4807, August 2007.

National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (December 2005). Urinary Tract infection in Adults. Web URL: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/utiadult/index.htm. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. National Institutes of Health. NIH Publication No. 07—2097, December 2005.

National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (February 2008). What I need to know about My Child’s Urinary Tract Infection. Web URL: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/utichildren_ez/. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. National Institutes of Health. NIH Publication No. 08—6075, February 2008.

National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (June 2007). Pyelonephritis (Kidney Infection) in Adults. Web URL: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/pyelonephritis/index.htm. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. National Institutes of Health. NIH Publication No. 07—4628, June 2007.


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