You have been told you have a kidney infection. This is called pyelonephritis. The infection can be serious. It can damage your kidneys and cause bacteria to enter your bloodstream. You were treated in the hospital. Once you return home, here's what you can do at home to aid in your recovery and prevent future infections.

• Take all the medicine you were prescribed, even if you feel better. Not finishing the medicine can make the infection come back. It may also make a future infection harder to treat.
• Unless you are told not to by your doctor, drink 8 to 12 glasses of fluid every day. Clear fluids, such as water, are best. This may help flush the infection from your system.

• Keep your genital area clean. Use mild soap. Rinse with water.
• If you are a female, always wipe the genital area from front to back.
• Urinate frequently. Don't hold urine in your bladder for a long time.
• Always urinate after having sex.
• Practice safe sex. Protect yourself and your partner from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Follow up with your doctor as advised. And see your doctor for regular lab tests as directed.

Contact your doctor right away if you have any of the following:

• Decreased urine output or trouble urinating
• Severe pain in the lower back or flank
• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your doctor
• Shaking chills
• Vomiting
• Blood in your urine
• Dark-colored or foul-smelling urine
• Nausea or other problems that prevent you from taking your prescribed medicine
• New or worsening symptoms