Signs and Symptoms of a Kidney Infection or Stone

The kidneys are located mid-back on either side of the spine. They are responsible for filtering the blood and removing excess water from the body. In addition to producing urine, the kidneys help maintain the balance of certain substances in the blood and produce hormones. Kidney stones and kidney infections are common kidney-related health problems. While potentially very painful, kidney stones usually resolve themselves. Kidney infections, however, can cause serious health problems if left untreated.

Kidney Infection Symptoms

• Kidney infections are usually the result of an infection of the bladder or other area of the urinary tract which spreads to the kidneys. Symptoms include fever and back pain in the area of the kidneys or in the abdomen or groin. The patient may feel an urgent need to urinate, and may do so frequently. He may notice burning when he urinates, and the urine may contain blood or pus.

Kidney Stone Symptoms

• While kidney stones may not produce any symptoms and small ones often pass without the patient even realizing it, larger stones cause a sudden, intense pain in the low back area where the kidneys are located or in the lower abdomen. This pain may turn to cramping as the body tries to move the stone through the urinary tract and the patient may eventually begin to feel pain in his groin as well. Blood may appear in the urine, and the patient may feel nauseous or even vomit. These symptoms are typical, but a fever is not, and may indicate an infection.

Treatment

• Antibiotics clear up kidney infections fairly quickly, although it is important that the patent continue with the entire course of antibiotic treatment even if the infection appears to be gone. If an infection is severe, hospitalization and large doses of antibiotics may be necessary. Kidney stones usually pass by themselves, although the patient can help the process along by drinking 2 to 3 quarts of water daily.

Warning

• An untreated kidney infection can lead to many complications, some of them life-threatening. Because the kidneys filter the blood, it’s possible for infection to spread from the kidneys to the entire body. Even if the infection remains isolated in the kidneys, without treatment, it can damage them and cause kidney failure which may become chronic. See your doctor if you have symptoms of a kidney infection.