To find out if you have a kidney infection, doctors may do tests such as: Urine tests to look for bacteria or other signs of infection, such as white blood cells, in your urine. Blood tests. Imaging tests to look at your kidneys, such as an X-ray, ultrasound or CT scan.
A urine test can't tell whether the infection – if you have one – is in your kidneys or another part of your urinary system, such as your bladder. For your GP to be confident you have a kidney infection, you need to have a positive urine test plus certain symptoms, such as a fever or a pain in your side.
Mild discomfort or pressure in the lower abdomen. Mild pain or burning during urination. A mild urge to urinate more frequently than usual. A general feeling of being unwell or tired.
Symptoms of a kidney infection often come on within a few hours. You can feel feverish, shivery, sick and have a pain in your back or side. In addition to feeling unwell like this, you may also have symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) such as cystitis.
Pyelonephritis causes nausea and vomiting, fever, and pain in the side. It can be treated with antibiotics without serious kidney damage. If still left untreated, however, it can cause permanent kidney damage and scarring.
Home remedies alone as a treatment for kidney infections are not a good idea. Kidney infections can cause severe symptoms and lead to kidney damage, and so a person will need antibiotics to treat the infection.
You may not always have lower tract symptoms, but the following common symptoms of a kidney infection include: Flank (kidney) pain on the side of your body. Occasional pain in your upper or lower abdomen. Fever.
If left untreated, a kidney infection can lead to potentially serious complications, such as: Kidney scarring. This can lead to chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure and kidney failure.
Some of the most common kidney pain symptoms include: A constant, dull ache in your back. Pain in your sides, under your rib cage or in your abdomen. Severe or sharp pain that comes in waves.
Some people may need further treatment in hospital. Your GP will tell you when to go to hospital for kidney infection. You should contact your GP if your kidney infection symptoms get worse or don't start to get better within 48 hours (two days) of starting the antibiotic.
To check for a kidney infection, you may be asked to provide a urine sample to test for bacteria, blood or pus in your urine. Your health care provider might also take a blood sample for a culture. A culture is a lab test that checks for bacteria or other organisms in your blood.
When your kidneys are failing, a high concentration and accumulation of substances lead to brown, red, or purple urine. Studies suggest the urine color is due to abnormal protein or sugar as well as high numbers of cellular casts and red and white blood cells.
For some people, lower UTIs can go away on their own, but kidney infections can lead to serious complications if left untreated. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have symptoms of a kidney infection.
At-home kidney disease tests are considered unreliable by medical professionals. We recommend you consult a doctor for interpretation of test results, confirmation of results, and advice regarding the best ways to manage kidney disease.
If your kidney infection is severe, you may need to go to the hospital. Treatment might include antibiotics and fluids through a vein in your arm. How long you'll stay in the hospital depends on how severe your infection is.
When should you go to the ER for a kidney infection? You should go to the emergency room for a kidney infection if you have a high fever (over 101°F), severe pain, nausea, vomiting, or inability to stay hydrated. Basically, any suspicion of a kidney infection is a reason to go to the doctor.
Some people develop a chronic infection of the kidney that is very stubborn and hard to get rid of. A continuing problem with a kidney infection is called chronic pyelonephritis. Having a severe kidney infection or repeated kidney infections can damage the kidneys. They can lead to chronic kidney disease.
Kidney infections are caused by bacteria or viruses. Scientists believe that most kidney infections start as a bladder infection that moves upstream to infect one or both of your kidneys. Most often, the infection is caused by bacteria that normally live in your bowel.
Your doctor can determine if you have a UTI or a kidney infection by reviewing your symptoms, analyzing a urine sample, and ordering certain blood tests. They may also order imaging studies or other tests to monitor your kidney function. UTIs and kidney infections are treated with antibiotics.
Water: Water is simply the best drink you can have! Water is a zero-calorie, perfectly hydrating, cheap drink. If you are in the earlier stages of kidney disease, choosing water most of the time to quench your thirst will keep your body and kidneys functioning well.