Which associated symptoms may occur with pyelonephritis?

Pyelonephritis, which is an infection of the kidney, often presents with a variety of systemic and specific symptoms related to the infection. The presence of fever is a hallmark sign of pyelonephritis, as it is a response to the infection indicating that the body is fighting the pathogen. Nausea and vomiting are also commonly observed in patients with this condition, as systemic infection can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms due to the body's inflammatory response and the effect of toxins on the central nervous system.

Other associated symptoms such as fatigue and malaise may be present due to the body's overall response to infection, but those symptoms are not as specific or prominent as fever and nausea/vomiting. Chest pain and palpitations are not typically associated with pyelonephritis; these symptoms would suggest issues related to the heart or lungs. Similarly, joint pain and swelling are more indicative of systemic inflammatory conditions or infections, rather than a urinary tract infection escalating to pyelonephritis. Therefore, fever and nausea/vomiting are the primary symptoms that signify the presence of a kidney infection.