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Symptoms and Treatment for a Kidney Infection

Symptoms

Usually over a period of few hours or days the symptoms of kidney infection develops.

  • Dysuria- common complain that patients give is that they experience pain when urinating.
  • Urinary frequency- there is an urge to urinate frequently.  In the lower abdomen this urge can be accompanied by pressure or heaviness. Also there can be a dull throbbing pain. Of kidney infection this is one of the first sign.
  • Jaundice-the skin and whites of the eyes become yellow in jaundice. In children untreated kidney infection may end up in jaundice.  In jaundice there is excess of bilirubin in the blood. Normally when the liver is faulty, jaundice occurs but when the waste is not excreted properly too jaundice can develop.
  • Blood in urine- this can indicate kidney infection.  This conditions are referred to as hematuria. In this condition the urinary tract infection reaches to the upper urinary system from the bladder and urethra. At this point a severe kidney infection is termed as pyelonephritis.  When kidney function is disturbed then blood can appear in urine. Normally blood and toxins are flitered by the kidney. When kidney produces urine to emit waste that time the elimination of wastes is effective. However if this filtration process is not process blood can appear in urine.
  • Unpleasant smelling urine- this is a common sign of kidney infection
  • Fever- often the body temperature rises above 103F.also this fever is accompanied by normal chills. In the organ there is overproduction of bacteria. Symptoms will flare up when bacteria attach themselves to the kidney walls. Until the kidney infection is present for some time, patients don’t experience fever and chills. The fever may become mild to high if kidney infection is left untreated.

Treatments

majority of them can be treated at home with the help of antibiotics and painkillers. If you experience change in urination patter, persistent tummy, genital or lower back pain then see your doctor.

  • Medications- some medications may be prescribed by the doctor. this includes co-amoxiclav and ciproflaxin.  If after treatment your symptoms do not show any improvement then contact your doctor.  Feeling sick and diarrhoea are some of the common side effects of ciprofaxacin.
  • Painkillers- symptoms of pain and fever can be alleviated by pain killers such as paracetamol. Usually to relive pain during a kidney infection, non steroidal anti inflammatory such as ibuprofen is not recommended since the risk of kidney problems may increase.
  • Treatment at hospital- if you have any underlying issue such as urinary tract then the doctor will recommend hospitalization. This underlying issue may make you vulnerable to kidney infection. In men kidney infection is very rare hence it is a standard practice that when men are diagnosed with this condition further investigation is done. In children majority of the cases of kidney infection is treated at the hospital. The treatment at hospital will be likely needed if:
    • You are dehydrated severely
    • If you are not able to keep down any fluids or medications
    • If any other additional symptom such as losing consciousness or rapid heartbeat may suggest that you have blood poisoning
    • If you have high temperature and you are pregnant

Many people respond well to the treatment. They usually are well enough to leave the hospital within 3-5 days if there are no complications. After you stop receiving antibiotics through a drip, treatment will continue in the form of capsules or tablets.

  • Self-help tips- try not to hover over the toilet seat when you go to the washroom and you have this condition. There are chances that your bladder may not empty completely. To prevent dehydration drink plenty of fluids. This will also help to eliminate the bacteria from your kidney. You should often pass pale colored urine, so drink enough. Take adequate amount of rest when you have kidney infection. This condition can physically drain the person even if the person is strong and healthy. Before you are able to actually resume your work it may take two weeks for you to recover.
  • A drip in order to keep you hydrated the doctor will most probably attach you to a drip so that your body can get more fluids. Through this drip antibiotics can be given.