The most common kidney infection symptoms you need to know about

Signs and symptoms of a kidney infection

Initially, kidney infections do not show any symptoms, so many people are not aware that their kidneys are having problems. However, there are times when symptoms will develop within a few hours or within a day of being infected.

Generally, pyelonephritis can present with symptoms similar to those of a urinary tract infection (UTI), including the following.

1. Frequent urination

The most common characteristic of a kidney infection is frequent urination. This change in the frequency of urination is caused by pyelonephritis-causing bacteria that have spread to the bladder and cause irritation.

As a result, you may urinate more frequently, even though your bladder is actually empty.

2. There is blood in the urine

Have you ever urinated when your urine looked like it had blood spots in it? If so, it is possible that this condition is a symptom of a kidney infection.

Blood in the urine or hematuria is a sign that the body is trying to fight off the bacteria that cause infection. This results in red blood cells out of the urine.

Reporting from the Urology Care Foundation, not all hematuria can be seen with the naked eye. The most common type of hematuria, namely microscopic hematuria, can only be seen by health professionals with the aid of a microscope.

A person who can see blood in the urine usually has pink, red, or brown urine. If you experience this, get checked out immediately to find out what really happened to your body.

3. Back pain

The kidneys are located behind the abdominal cavity and closer to the back. If infected, gradually the kidneys swell (hydronephrosis) and press the kidney capsule that covers it.

The pressure from the kidneys actually causes pain in the lower back because the kidneys are located closer to the back.

As a symptom of a fairly common kidney infection, back pain is usually checked by tapping the area. This aims to facilitate a doctor's diagnosis.

4. Pain when urinating

Apart from damaging the lining of the kidneys and bladder, bacteria that cause kidney infections also affect the bladder's nerve tissue. As a result, there is discomfort when you urinate.

If you experience pain and a burning sensation when you urinate, it is possible that the lining of your kidneys and urethra is inflamed. Therefore, you will need to undergo a number of kidney tests, such as a creatinine test.

5. Urine looks cloudy and smelly

Similar to the symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection, the symptoms of a kidney infection, especially in women, tend to produce urine that looks cloudy. Not only does it look cloudy, people with kidney infections also have urine that smells bad. What is the reason?

An infected body has an automatic signal to produce more white blood cells. Increased production of white blood cells aims to fight infection-causing bacteria. As a result, the color of urine looks cloudy because of the high number of white blood cells.

Meanwhile, the unpleasant smell of urine is the result of bacterial fermentation. However, there are times when this condition is caused by the body lack of fluids, aka dehydration.

To make it easier to tell the difference, you can drink lots of water. If the urine is still cloudy and smelly, this may be a sign of a kidney infection.

6. Fever

When an infection attacks the body's organs, including the kidneys, there will be an immune response. Your immune system will fight off the bacteria, but it causes your body temperature to rise (fever) and can be accompanied by cold sweats at night.

As one of the symptoms of kidney infection that often occurs in women, this condition is not experienced by everyone. Body temperature higher than 38 ° C is more common with acute kidney infections.

Meanwhile, in people with weak immune systems, the elderly, or patients with immune disorders, there are times when a fever does not occur.

7. Pus in the urine

If your kidney infection is severe, usually the symptoms you show can be pus in your urine. This condition is caused by a severe infection in the bladder.

Severe infection in the bladder also causes a build-up of white blood cells and bacteria that are excreted in the urine. As a result, the color of urine is mixed with pus.

Characteristics of kidney infection in women

Reporting from the American Family Physician, pyelonephritis, especially acute ones, often occurs in adult women. Therefore, to make it easier for you to distinguish kidney infection from other infectious diseases, here are some symptoms to watch out for.

Stomach ache

Apart from back pain, a symptom of infection that often occurs in women is abdominal pain. Although not everyone experiences the same thing, this one sign can happen.

This condition is likely caused by pain in the kidneys that radiates to other organs, including the stomach. If you feel stomach pain, consult a doctor immediately to determine whether this condition is related to pyelonephritis or not.

Nausea and vomiting

Just like fever, nausea and vomiting are caused by inflammation and infection in the body that stimulates the immune system. Therefore, when your body is attacked by a bacterial infection, there is a chance that you will feel nauseous and even vomit.

Signs of pyelonephritis in children

Kidney infection can affect anyone, including children. Here are some of the symptoms of pyelonephritis that parents need to pay attention to.

Burning or painful sensation when urinating.
Urinate more frequently
Bedwetting.
There is blood and pus in the urine.
Lower back and abdominal pain.
Nausea and vomiting.
Fever and chills.
Fussy, often cries for no reason.
Decreased appetite.
Stunted growth.

If you or other family members experience the symptoms of infection that have been mentioned, you should immediately consult a doctor. That way, you can have kidney function tests and find out what's wrong with your body.

If you have certain concerns related to kidney problems that are not mentioned, also consult a doctor. This aims to make it easier for you to find the right solution.