Yes, a kidney infection (pyelonephritis) will often show up on blood tests by revealing signs of a serious infection, like an elevated white blood cell count, and can also indicate how well your kidneys are functioning through tests like eGFR and BUN, though a urine test is key for definitive diagnosis. Blood work helps assess the infection's severity and potential kidney impact, but doctors also rely on urine tests and sometimes imaging (CT scan, ultrasound) to pinpoint the cause and blockage.
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.
Symptoms of a kidney infection can include:
How Are Acute Kidney Infections Treated? Children are typically given oral antibiotics to take at home. However, if the infection is advanced, a child may receive intravenous (IV) antibiotics in the hospital.
To relieve pregnancy kidney pain, prioritize hydration, use pregnancy-safe pain relievers like acetaminophen as directed by your doctor, apply a heating pad, get rest, and wear loose clothing, but always consult your doctor first for severe pain, fever, or vomiting, as it could signal a kidney infection or stones needing specific treatment like antibiotics or procedures.
A kidney infection. Symptoms of pyelonephritis may include those of acute cystitis plus flank (back) pain. Pyelonephritis may lead to preterm labor, severe infection, and adult respiratory distress syndrome.
Conditions that can mimic kidney stone pain
Kidney infections (pyelonephritis) are usually caused by bacteria, most often E. coli, that travel up from a bladder infection or enter the urinary tract, causing it to spread to the kidneys. Risk factors include being female, having urinary tract blockages (like kidney stones), structural urinary tract problems, catheter use, enlarged prostate, diabetes, or a weakened immune system, with bacteria sometimes reaching kidneys via the bloodstream, too.
drink plenty of fluids so your pee is pale, water is best - this helps to flush out the bacteria from your kidneys.
When should I go to ER for a kidney infection? Go to the nearest emergency room if you have any signs of severe dehydration or serious illness, including: Fever or pain that comes on suddenly. Not peeing or peeing very little.
The symptoms of a kidney infection usually develop quite quickly over a few hours or days. Common symptoms include: pain and discomfort in your side, lower back or around your genitals. high temperature (it may reach 39.5C or 103.1F)
What tests do doctors use to diagnose a kidney infection? Health care professionals may use urinalysis, urine culture, and imaging tests to diagnose a kidney infection.
Make sure to get enough sleep and rest, especially during the early days of recovery. Follow Up with Your GP: Schedule any recommended follow-up appointments. Your GP may need to check if the infection has cleared completely and ensure your kidneys are functioning correctly.
The main test for kidney disease is a blood test. The test measures the levels of a waste product called creatinine in your blood. A doctor uses your blood test results, plus your age, size, and gender to calculate how many millilitres of waste your kidneys should be able to filter in a minute.
Conditions like STIs, interstitial cystitis, and kidney stones can cause similar signs, so it's crucial to get an accurate diagnosis. Understanding the differences between these conditions and seeking medical care when needed helps ensure you get the right treatment and avoid unnecessary complications.
Most kidney infections start as a bladder infection in your lower urinary tract. Bacteria that live in your bowel can get into your urinary tract and cause an infection. If a bladder infection isn't treated or doesn't go away, it can spread to one or both kidneys.
Cranberries are low in potassium and high in vitamin C, making them another great choice for people with kidney disease. Cranberry juice has also been shown to help prevent urinary tract infections, which are typical for people with kidney disease.
Foods to avoid with a kidney infection
Fever and Chills
A kidney infection often brings on a noticeable fever, usually 101°F to 103°F or higher. Many women describe feeling chilled or shivery even when they're bundled up. Shaking chills and sudden temperature swings show your body is reacting to a more serious infection beyond the bladder.
Three key early warning signs of kidney problems are changes in urination (more or less frequent, especially at night), foamy or bloody urine, and persistent swelling, particularly around the eyes, feet, or ankles, indicating fluid retention. Other common signs include persistent fatigue, nausea, itching, and loss of appetite, as toxins build up when kidneys aren't filtering effectively.
Medicine to treat kidney infection
Where do I feel kidney pain? You feel kidney pain near the middle of your back, just under your ribcage, on each side of your spine where your kidneys are. Your kidneys are part of the urinary tract, the organs that make and remove urine from the body.
See your doctor immediately or go to your local hospital emergency department if you have kidney pain and: you have a fever or feel very unwell. you are unable to pass urine. the pain is on both sides of your body.
You can check kidney function at home using at-home test kits for urine (detecting protein/albumin) or finger-prick blood tests (checking creatinine/eGFR), often with smartphone apps for analysis, or by monitoring symptoms like increased nighttime urination (nocturia), swelling, or changes in urine (blood, foam) and discussing results with a doctor, as home tests screen but don't replace professional diagnosis.