Kidney Infection Symptoms

Kidneys form a part of excretory system of our body. They are located on either side of the body beneath the diaphragm. Long tubes called ureters connect the kidneys with the bladder. The urine accumulated in the kidneys travels through these ureters, and is collected in the bladder.

It stays there till the time it is passed out of the body through urethra. The kidneys play very important functions in the body such as filtering the waste products from the body, maintaining electrolyte balance, regulating blood pressure, and contributing to the production of erythrocytes (or red blood cells).

But sometimes, the kidneys are not able to perform their functions well. The most common cause behind the malfunctioning of kidneys is microbial infection, more specifically known as kidney infection.

In medicine, it is termed as pyelonephritis. Kidney infection symptoms begin with various problems associated with urination. Such problems may further extend to other body parts if not treated on time.

• Frequent urge to urinate, especially at night.
• Feeling of full bladder even after urination.
• Intense abdominal pain and cramps accompanied with diarrhea are some other symptoms of pyelonephritis. Some patients may experience back pain as well.

• Kidney infection symptoms in women and men may include inability to urinate or hold the stream while urinating. It might be accompanied with pain on the sides and lower abdomen.
• Mild to sharp pain during or just after urination. Many patients also feel a burning sensation along with pain.

• Symptoms of kidney infection in infants can be irritability and fussiness. This is mainly because they may not be able to express their discomfort, and evidently choose petulance as an indication of discomfort.
• Symptoms of kidney infection in children thus include bedwetting as well.

• Infected kidney is often swollen, and is surrounded by fluids. This increases the pressure on the adjacent structures, which further causes abdominal pain.
• The infection may spread to other parts of the excretory system like bladder and ureters. This eventually results in groin, lower back, and buttock pain and discomfort.

• Men as well as women with kidney infection may notice cloudy and foul-smelling urine.
• In order to fight against the causative microbe, your body may raise the temperature by 1-2 degrees. This makes you feel feverish.
• They may experience intense pain while urinating, and may pass blood and pus through urine. Presence of blood in the urine is called hematuria.

• Fatigue, loss of appetite, dehydration, vomiting, nausea, and dizziness are chronic kidney infection symptoms. In any case, immediate medical attention is required.
• Chronic kidney infection, especially in the elderly can lead to confusion. Kidney pain and diarrhea should never be ignored.

Symptoms of kidney infection usually develop over a period of few hours. The discomfort is, most of the time, quite intense, and is difficult to be ignored. In case you happen to notice some of the symptoms of kidney infection, you should seek medical assistance as early as possible. This will not only help fight the infection in the kidneys, but will also help prevent its spread to other body parts.