kidney infection

Blood flows through the body to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the cells. Another function of blood is to remove byproducts that are essentially waste. Blood is then taken to the kidneys to filter waste, which turns into urine. Urine then flows through the urinary tract until it exits through the urethra. This process makes the kidneys integral to keeping the body clean and healthy.

Therefore, it is in your best interest to keep your kidneys healthy. One way of doing so is watching for symptoms of a kidney infection.

Common Kidney Infection Symptoms

A variety of symptoms will indicate kidney infections, including:

  • Difficulty urinating
  • A burning sensation or pain while urinating
  • Having to urinate more than usual
  • Cloudy urine
  • Foul-smelling urine
  • A fever
  • Feeling nauseous
  • Vomiting

These are all signs that you need to get kidney infection treatment. If you prolong the condition without being treated, the symptoms can worsen, damaging the organs.

When you notice these symptoms, it is time to get a kidney infection diagnosis.

Kidney Infection Diagnosis

You may be uncertain if your condition is a kidney infection simply by observing the symptoms because they are similar to other urinary tract infections. So, aside from interviewing you about your symptoms, the doctor will prescribe several tests to identify the infection, bacteria, and severity.

The first test is a urinalysis, where you provide a urine sample. A lab will test the urine sample for blood, pus, or bacteria. Those are clear indicators of an infection.

When bacteria are found, the lab can culture them for identification purposes. Knowing what bacteria you are up against helps determine the kidney infection treatment plan.

Your doctor will also want to check your kidneys through other tests, like an MRI, X-rays, and CT scans. These tests give your doctor a visual of the organ’s condition and the urinary tract status. 

After the kidney infection diagnosis is complete, the doctor will prescribe your treatment.

kidney infection

 

Kidney Infection Treatment

For most kidney infection treatments, the doctor will prescribe oral antibiotics for a few weeks to get the maximum effect. With oral antibiotics, you can easily get treatment at home.

More severe infections require intravenous antibiotics, which are administered in the hospital. 

After treatment, you will go through another urinalysis to mark your progress. It is crucial to complete the antibiotic treatment even when symptoms disappear to ensure that the bacteria has gone completely. If you stop the kidney infection treatment prematurely, there is a chance the bacteria can come back.

5 Ways to Prevent Kidney Infections

Prevention is better than cure. Follow these tips to decrease the chances of catching an infection in your kidneys.

  1. Drink lots of fluids, particularly water, which flushes out bacteria from your system.
  2. Go to the bathroom once you feel the need to urinate. Holding it in can increase the chances of infection.
  3. Practice proper hygiene by cleaning your genitals.
  4. Urinate after sexual intercourse.
  5. Wipe from front to back after a bowel movement.

Visit Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care for Kidney Infection Treatment and Diagnosis

It is best to schedule a kidney infection diagnosis with your doctor when you notice the symptoms. The earlier you start treatment, the fewer complications you run into. However, if you find blood or pus in your urine, you should seek immediate medical attention. 

Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care

Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care is the only health system in Hamilton County offering ER and urgent care services under one roof. Unlike most ER or urgent care centers, patients are only billed for the level of services they need. The ER is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The urgent care center is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. No appointments are not necessary for in-person visits; however, pre-registration is available.

Riverview Health Emergency Room Urgent Care has five convenient locations: