The signs and symptoms of a kidney infection can vary based on the severity of the infection, but some of the most common signs and symptoms include:
1. Pain in the lower back and/or sides that may worsen when twisting, bending or coughing.
2. Fever & chills, or feeling hot and cold.
3. Pain or burning sensation when urinating due to the presence of bacteria or organisms in the urine.
4. Pressure, tenderness, and/or swelling on the side of your body below the ribs.
5. Fatigue
6. Loss of appetite and/or nausea/vomiting
7. Abnormal urine color or odor
If you experience any of the aforementioned symptoms, it is important to contact your healthcare provider right away as these can be indicative of a kidney infection, which may require antibiotics to treat.
Additionally, any severe or concerning signs or symptoms should be discussed with a healthcare professional right away.
Table of Contents
What does the beginning of a kidney infection feel like?
The beginning of a kidney infection can vary from person to person, but some common symptoms include pain and/or tenderness in the lower back and/or side, pain and/or burning sensation with urination, cloudy or bloody urine, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
In some cases, mild flu-like symptoms may also be present. Some people may also experience chills, night sweats, and abdominal pain associated with the infection. Early detection and treatment of a kidney infection can help prevent more serious illnesses that can arise from untreated kidney infections, so it is important that you contact your healthcare provider if you experience any of these symptoms.
How do you rule out a kidney infection?
A kidney infection can be difficult to rule out, and in some cases may need to be tested for in order to confirm or deny a diagnosis. The best way to rule out a kidney infection is to visit a healthcare professional and undergo a physical examination, as well as provide a urine sample in order to be tested for bacteria or any other abnormalities.
Kidney infections are usually caused by bacteria which travel up the urinary tract and into the kidneys, so the physical examination and urine sample will help a doctor to determine whether a kidney infection is present.
Lab results will usually confirm or deny a kidney infection, and a doctor may also order blood tests or other imaging scans in order to accurately diagnose and rule out any other potential health issues.
If a kidney infection is present, treatments such as antibiotics or other medications may be prescribed in order to treat the infection and reduce any uncomfortable symptoms.
How do you know if a UTI is spread to your kidneys?
If a urinary tract infection (UTI) has spread to your kidneys, you may experience certain symptoms. Common signs and symptoms of a kidney infection include pain in your abdomen or side, fever, chills, nausea, and frequent urination that produces cloudy and foul-smelling urine.
You may also experience a general feeling of fatigue and exhaustion. In some cases, you may experience difficulty urinating or the sensation of an incomplete bladder emptying. In serious cases, you may experience confusion, vomiting, and back pain.
If you experience any of these symptoms and suspect you may have a kidney infection, don’t wait to seek medical attention. Kidney infections are serious and require timely treatment from a healthcare professional.
Does kidney infection pain come and go?
Yes, kidney infection pain can come and go, depending on the cause of the infection. Generally, people with a kidney infection experience pain in the back or side of their abdomen, pain during urination, a frequent urge to urinate, and pressure or a feeling of discomfort in the lower abdomen.
In some cases, the pain may be intense and constant, or it may go away and come back.
Other symptoms of a kidney infection include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and body aches. Some people may have only mild symptoms, or no symptoms at all. It is important to see a doctor if you have any of these symptoms as they can indicate a more serious infection that requires prompt medical treatment.
The most common cause of a kidney infection is when bacteria enters the urethra, travels to the bladder, and then spreads to the kidneys. This process is known as urinary tract infection, or UTI. Other causes include kidney stones, an enlarged prostate, and a weakened immune system.
To treat the pain associated with a kidney infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics, depending on the source of the infection. In some cases, pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen may also be recommended.
It is important to finish your entire course of antibiotics and drink plenty of fluids to flush the bacteria from your system. If your pain is severe or gets worse, be sure to contact your doctor.
How long does it take for a kidney infection to start?
It can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for a kidney infection to start. In most cases, the symptoms of a serious kidney infection, which can include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, flank pain, frequent urination, and cloudy or bloody urine, will start to appear within a few days of being infected.
However, in some cases, the symptoms may take longer, up to a few weeks, to appear for someone with a weakened immune system or who takes immune-suppressing medications. Additionally, in some cases, the infection may progress without noticeable symptoms until it has become more serious.
It is important to monitor your health closely, and if you notice any of the above symptoms, seek medical attention to prevent further complications.
Can a kidney infection go away on its own?
It is possible for a kidney infection to go away on its own, however, it is not recommended. A kidney infection is a bacterial infection of one or both kidneys, which can be very dangerous and should be treated with antibiotics as soon as possible.
If left untreated, a kidney infection can spread to the bloodstream and cause serious health problems, including sepsis. Therefore, if you are experiencing any symptoms of a kidney infection, such as pain in your side or lower back, frequent urination, fever, or chills, it is crucial to seek medical attention.
A doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection and depending on the severity of the infection, hospitalization may be necessary. Without treatment, a kidney infection can worsen or develop complications and become life-threatening.
Should I go to ER for kidney infection?
It really depends on the severity of your kidney infection. Generally, if you’re experiencing severe pain, a high fever, having trouble urinating, or feeling weak and nauseous, you should consider going to the emergency room.
These are all signs that your infection has become more serious and needs immediate medical attention. Going to the ER can help prevent the infection from becoming life-threatening and will allow you to get the proper antibiotics and other treatments that you need.
Additionally, depending on the type and stage of your infection, further testing, such as a CT scan or ultrasound, may be necessary. The ER can provide these services and ensure that your infection is being treated properly.
Is there a home test for kidney infection?
At this time, there is no home test available to diagnose a kidney infection. If you suspect that you have a kidney infection, you should seek medical attention right away. A physician can do a physical exam to assess your symptoms, and might even order a urine sample for testing.
This can help diagnose a kidney infection or rule it out. The physician may also order imaging tests or blood tests to confirm their findings. Kidney infections can be serious if left untreated, so it is important to seek medical attention if you suspect you may have one.
Can you treat a kidney infection without going to the hospital?
Yes, it is possible to treat a kidney infection without going to the hospital. The first step is to consult with your doctor and create a treatment plan. This plan may include taking a course of antibiotics to treat the infection.
You may also need to drink plenty of fluids, such as water and diluted fruit juices, to help flush out the infection-causing bacteria. Additionally, you should get plenty of rest and avoid strenuous activity.
Herbal remedies, such as consuming cranberry juice, may also be helpful in treating a kidney infection. If you are in severe pain, it is important to get immediate medical help. Additionally, it is important to follow up with your doctor after the completion of your treatment plan to ensure that the infection is fully cleared.
What happens if kidney infections go untreated?
Kidney infections, also known as pyelonephritis, can be potentially dangerous if left untreated. The infection is usually caused by bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, that make their way up the urinary tract, eventually infecting the kidneys.
This can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, abdominal pain, nausea, and frequent and strong urges to urinate.
If the infection goes untreated, it can cause serious complications in the kidneys. These complications can include permanent kidney damage, such as scarring of the kidney tissue, as well as potentially life-threatening infections.
These infections can spread to the blood stream and other organs, such as the heart, leading to sepsis. Sepsis can cause a range of issues, including organ failure and death.
Treating kidney infections involves antibiotics and pain relief. If left untreated, the infection can spread to other organs and even become life threatening. Therefore, if you experience any of the symptoms associated with kidney infection, it is important to seek medical advice and get treated as soon as possible.
How do I know if its kidney pain?
Kidney pain can be difficult to identify, as often the symptoms are similar to those of other conditions. Kidney pain typically presents as a sharp, cramping pain that is felt in the back and/or side.
It can worsen when the body is moved, such as when taking deep breaths or coughing. Other common symptoms of kidney pain include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and chills. It is important to consult with a doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, as they may be indicative of a more serious condition, such as an infection or kidney stone.
Additionally, urine and/or blood tests may be needed to confirm a diagnosis.
What are the 3 early warning signs of kidney disease?
The three early warning signs of kidney disease are changes in urination, swelling or puffiness, and fatigue.
Changes in urination could include an increase or decrease in the amount of urine produced, the presence of blood in urine, a sudden or unexplained urge to urinate, foamy or bubbly urine, or dark or tea-colored urine.
Swelling or puffiness can be seen in the hands, face, eyes, and feet, and can be caused by the accumulation of fluid due to the kidney’s inability to flush out waste properly.
Finally, fatigue can occur as your body is unable to filter out waste efficiently. This can lead to anemia, and might manifest in a lack of energy, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating.
It’s important to note that these symptoms can be indicative of other diseases, so it’s important to see a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms or if that something just doesn’t feel right.
Early detection is key to managing and treating kidney disease, which can be slow and insidious.
What causes kidney pain other than infection?
In addition to infection, kidney pain can be caused by other factors. These include kidney stones, physical injury, blockages in the urinary tract, kidney tumors, certain medications, and certain types of foods and drinks.
Kidney stones are hard, pebble-like masses that can form due to a build-up of certain minerals in the body, usually in the urinary tract. These can become stuck in the kidney, blocking the ureter, and cause sharp and intense pain.
Physical injury can also lead to kidney pain, including kidney trauma due to a car accident or a fall, or abdominal muscle strain.
The kidneys can also be affected if there is a blockage in the urinary tract, such as blockages due to tumors or enlarged prostate. This can cause involuntary contractions of the musculature in the back, leading to pain.
Medications such as some antibiotics and medications to treat high blood pressure can cause kidney pain in some individuals.
Certain foods and drinks may lead to kidney pain as well. Foods and drinks that are high in sodium or acid can aggravate existing kidney conditions or cause an infection, leading to pain. In addition, alcohol and caffeine are both diuretics, meaning that they make you urinate more frequently, this can also lead to dehydration and kidney pain.
How do doctors tell the difference between UTI and kidney infection?
Doctors typically begin by considering a patient’s presenting symptoms and laboratory tests. A urinary tract infection (UTI) is typically identified by the presence of white blood cells and bacteria in the urine sample.
Symptoms may include burning during urination, abdominal pain, and a frequent, strong urge to urinate, even when the bladder isn’t full. In older adults, and those with weakened immune systems, a UTI can cause fever, confusion, and fatigue as well.
A kidney infection (pyelonephritis), on the other hand, is caused by harmful bacteria that travels up the urethra and into the kidneys. It brings more serious symptoms than a UTI, such as pain below the ribs, fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting.
A kidney infection can additionally cause confusion and difficulty with urination, as it irritates the bladder. To determine if a patient has a kidney infection, the doctor may take a urine sample and test it for white blood cells, bacteria, and other substances that may indicate infection.
The doctor may order additional blood tests to determine the type and severity of the infection, and to determine if it spread beyond the urinary tract. In some cases, medical imaging such as a CT scan or an ultrasound of the kidneys may also be necessary to make a definitive diagnosis.
