Kidney Infection

kidneycancer2aKidney Infection

A kidney infection happens when bacteria passes into and infects one or both of your kidneys.

The symptoms of a kidney infection usually develop quite quickly over a few hours or days.

The chief kidney infection symptoms are a dull, constant pain in your side, and a sharp pain or discomfort in your back just below the lower ribs, or around your genital area.

Symptoms of a Kidney Infection
Kidney infection symptoms when linked with pain include a fever and/or chills, nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, lethargy and weakness.

 

Further kidney infection symptoms may include cloudy or foul smelling urine, an urgent or frequent need to urinate, a painful or burning sensation when you go, or a feeling that your bladder won’t empty fully – but these symptoms can also indicate cystitis or an infection of the urethra, the tube from the bladder that takes urine out of the body.

 

Blood in the urine is a sign that you need to see a doctor immediately.

 

Kidney infection symptoms if ignored can cause other complications, including a kidney abscess, high blood pressure (hypertension), premature labour and birth, or in very rare cases severe kidney damage resulting in kidney failure. This is when the kidneys stop working properly.

 

Kidney failure is potentially fatal, but it can be treated with dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Diagnosis of a Kidney Infection
After a physical examination and questions about your recent health (especially any persistent urinary tract infections), you will need to undergo a series of tests, starting with urinalysis and a blood test.

Treatment of a Kidney Infection
Kidney infection symptoms respond well to swift treatment with prescribed antibiotics that will help to prevent further symptoms or complications to develop.

 

When symptoms start, you are recommended to drink plenty of water, to help wash out bacteria. You should also immediately avoid alcohol and other harmful substances, such as drugs or tobacco, to avoid damaging your kidneys further.

Prevention of a Kidney Infection
To prevent kidney pain symptoms or complications, be sure to drink plenty of water every day.

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