Common Signs of a Kidney Infection

 Your kidneys weigh about 5 ounces each and are shaped like beans — thus their name —   but, although small, they perform some of the most essential functions in filtering your blood and removing waste products from your body. Their job of regulating extracellular fluid through excretion prevents toxic materials from staying in the blood and affecting the body.

Kidney infections, also known as pyelonephritis, can cause these organs to work much harder to perform their functions correctly. If left untreated, kidney infections can lead to long-term issues like kidney disease — and worse. To effectively manage kidney infections as they develop, we need to understand the causes, symptoms, and treatment options available.

Drs. Craig Herman and Steven Kester, along with the team at Urology Center of Florida, are dedicated to serving the needs of residents in Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, and South Florida, including those with kidney infections and various other renal (kidney) conditions.

Common causes of a kidney infection

The most common reasons for kidney infections are bacteria, including E. coli, Staphylococcus, Enterobacter, and Proteus mirabilis. Some of the bacteria also cause urinary tract infections. However, viruses can also cause kidney infections, although they are a less common cause in healthy individuals.

Various factors contribute to kidney infection risks, such as blockages from kidney stones, an enlarged prostate, and uterine prolapse, as well as diseases like HIV and diabetes. Vesicoureteral reflux, an issue that causes urine to flow backward into the bladder, can also lead to the development of infections.

Signs to look for

Urinary tract infections and kidney infections share some similar signs, including difficulty urinating, a burning sensation when urinating, bloody or cloudy urine, frequent urination, foul-smelling urine, lower abdominal pain, and difficulty emptying the bladder. 

Within a few hours of infection, however, kidney infections often present with symptoms such as nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; chills; shivering; groin, side, and lower back pain; and fever. Women are more likely to develop these infections than men due to having a shorter urethra, but the symptoms are similar in both sexes.

Treatment options

Antibiotics are the primary treatment method for kidney infections, though the dosage and length of time you take them will vary depending on the severity of your problems. In many cases, the infection starts to clear up in a few days; however, you’ll need to continue taking antibiotics for as long as recommended to completely clear the infection from your system.

Severe infections may require hospitalization, where antibiotics will be administered intravenously for quicker delivery. The length of your stay will depend on how quickly the medication starts to take effect.

Kidney infections can be managed through proper care. If you notice signs that you might have one, call or send us a message to make an appointment with Drs. Herman or Kester, and the Urology Center of Florida team today for treatment at our office in Pompano Beach, Florida.