Worried about kidney infection? Find out what the different kidney infection signs and symptoms look like by reading below.
If you have a bladder function, you may experience a kidney infection shortly afterward. A kidney infection (pyelonephritis) happens as a result of bacteria making its way into the kidneys.
Fortunately, acute kidney infections are not as common as other types of urinary tract infections (UTIs). However, it’s a good idea to be aware of the signs and symptoms of a kidney infection.
The symptoms are usually similar to those of appendicitis and pelvic inflammatory diseases. Keep reading to learn about the different kidney infection signs and symptoms.
1. Abnormal Urine
Since kidneys make urine, a change in your usual urination patterns can be a significant sign of a kidney infection. The purpose of urination is to remove waste and extra water from the body. If you have a kidney infection, changes to this process, such as consistency and frequency, will generally be visible in the excretion.
For example, some individuals may feel an overwhelming and persistent need to urinate – especially at night. In addition, your urine may look darker, foamy, or bubbly, and may have a bad smell. You may also feel pressure or discomfort as you urinate and may notice blood or pus in your urine.
2. Inflammation
If your kidneys can’t get rid of urine and other waste, you can experience swelling and kidney damage as the waste builds up. Since excess salts and water accumulate, it can cause edema (swelling) in your ankles, hands, and feet; this is especially noticeable in the morning. Some people may also experience puffiness in the face.
3. Nausea
As the body tries to get rid of toxins, it will increase urination, which can lead to dehydration. In turn, dehydration can result in mild nausea and vomiting. Nausea can then lead to a host of other effects such as loss of appetite, weight loss, and constant pain or pressure in the abdominal region. Additionally, prescription antibiotics meant to treat kidney infections may also cause mild nausea and vomiting.
4. Fatigue
Excessive fatigue is common among people with kidney infections. This can happen due to two factors: the body’s need for rest and recovery or as a result of anemia.
When kidney infections go untreated, they can cause chronic kidney damage, which lowers erythropoietin production. Erythropoietin is a hormone that signals red blood cell production. As a result of lower erythropoietin levels, red blood cell count decreases and you experience anemia and less oxygen in the body.
5. Skin Irritation
Kidney infections can also lead to skin irritation and rashes. While many people may dismiss a rash as a symptom of something less severe like allergies, it may also be a sign of kidney infections and kidney failure.
Furthermore, due to the excess buildup of waste in the body, you may also experience itching that makes the rash worse.
6. Fever
Due to the infection, you can expect your body temperature to increase above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This fever can also be accompanied by shivering or chills.
Keep in mind that anemia may also lead to increased body temperature, although, this is generally considered a low-grade fever. In contrast, infections can cause moderate to high fever, chills, back pain, and side pain.
7. Side Pain
If you’re feeling pressure or dull, throbbing pain between your hips and ribs, you may have a kidney infection. Usually, the discomfort and pain are felt around the affected kidney or in the abdomen or back.
If you have a kidney infection, you’ll generally experience the pain intermittently whenever you’re standing, sitting, or bending. The pain usually affects one side of the body.
8. Smelly Breath
While bad breath can be a result of many factors, it can also be caused by dehydration or nausea and vomiting related to a kidney infection. Furthermore, some people may experience bad breath as a result of their antibiotic treatment.
When you’re taking antibiotics, they can cause a smelly breath, affect the taste of food, and leave a metallic taste in your mouth. As a result, you may have a loss of appetite and lose weight.
9. Breathing Issues
While kidney infections usually don’t cause breathing problems, you should get medical attention right away if you have trouble breathing. If you have breathing issues as a result of an infection, it can be a sign of kidney failure or sepsis, which means bacteria have entered your blood.
Kidney infections may lead to sepsis and kidney failure if left untreated. If you have an infection and can’t breathe properly, seek urgent medical care.
10. Dizziness
Finally, individuals with a kidney infection can feel tired, confused, dizzy, and have trouble concentrating. Since fever leads to dehydration, it can cause dizziness and lack of focus. However, your symptoms should alleviate once you start treatment.
Since some of these symptoms may be related to other conditions, it’s important to consider them as a whole. If you experience two or more of these symptoms, it may be a sign that you have a kidney infection. Don’t try to diagnose yourself – if you have any of these symptoms, go see a doctor so they can give you a proper diagnosis and treatment.
