What is a typical symptom of pyelonephritis?

Flank pain, fever, and dysuria are classic symptoms associated with pyelonephritis, which is an infection of the kidneys. Flank pain typically occurs due to inflammation and irritation of the kidney area, responding to the infection. A fever often accompanies this condition, indicating the systemic response to an infection. Dysuria, or painful urination, may also present as a result of the infection affecting the urinary tract.

In comparison, while frequent urination and urgency may be related to simpler urinary tract infections, they do not capture the specific systemic involvement indicated by the fever and flank pain in pyelonephritis. Suprapubic pain and incontinence are more indicative of bladder issues rather than kidney infections. Pain during intercourse generally pertains to reproductive conditions, not specifically tied to kidney infection symptoms. Collectively, these distinctions clarify why flank pain, fever, and dysuria are the hallmark symptoms of pyelonephritis.