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Kidney Infection

Medical Author: Siamak Nabili, MD, MPH
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Viewer Comments

Featured kidney infection patient discussions on symptoms experienced

"It started as a urinary infection (cystitis).The doctor gave me medication and I had a urinary sample sent for testing. The doctor said that she was going to let me know if I needed different medication, as soon as she gets the results from the test. She didn't, so after a few days I started having severe pains in the right side of my belly and my back. I started loosing my appetite and I had the fever and chills. I went to a different doctor, at the same medical center, to find out that according to the results of the urine test I was taking the wrong medication all this time, causing the infection to move to the kidney!" - Sophia

"I have had 4 kidney infections in the past year. I don’t understand why. I wipe from front to back, I drink tons of water in a day. I even take cranberry pills daily to help. But they keep coming. I get a fever, nausea and my back is in extreme pain. It’s the same every time. My back are where my kidneys are is also extremely sore and hard as a rock."

"I was in a lot of pain around my lower chest/rib cage. I thought I must have a chest infection, but couldn't understand how because I had no cough or other chest symptoms. I also went from feeling fine to being almost unable to stand with fever and flu like symptoms within about 2-3 hours. It turned out to be a kidney infection."


Patient Discussions are not a substitute for professional medical advice, or treatment.
See the disclaimer at the bottom of the comments page.
Doctor to Patient

What is the function of the kidneys?

The kidneys have a variety of important functions in the body. These include filtering the waste products from the blood as it circulates through capillaries within the kidneys, regulating blood pressure, maintaining steady levels of electrolytes (for example, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and chloride), and contributing to the production of red blood cells.

Where are the kidneys located?

The kidneys are located on either side of the body underneath the diaphragm near the lower back. Each kidney is connected to the bladder in the pelvis by ureters (long tube-like structures) that drain the urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Urine stored in the bladder is excreted from the body through the urethra.

What is a kidney infection?

The main components of the urinary tract are kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Any part of the urinary system may become infected and this is generally referred to as urinary tract infection (UTI).

  • Lower urinary tract infection involves the urethra, the bladder, and, in men, the prostate gland.

  • Upper urinary tract infection refers to infection of the kidneys.

  • Infection of the kidneys is also known as pyelonephritis.

Picture of the Kidneys and Urinary Structures
Picture of the Kidneys and Urinary Structures



Next: What are the causes of kidney infection? »

Kidney Infection - Describe Your Symptoms Experienced

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

Please describe you’re the symptoms of your kidney infection.

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Kidney Infection

What is blood in urine (hematuria)?

Hematuria, or blood in the urine, can be either gross (visible) or microscopic (as defined by more than three to five red blood cells per high power field when viewed under magnification). Gross hematuria can vary widely in appearance, from light pink to deep red with clots. Despite the quantity of blood in the urine being different, the types of conditions that can cause the problem are the same, and the workup or evaluation that is needed is identical.

People with gross hematuria usually present to their doctor with this as a primary complaint. Microscopic hematuria, on the other hand, is most commonly detected as part of a periodic checkup by a primary-care physician.

What are the causes of blood in urine?

The causes of gross and microscopic hematuria are similar and may result from bleeding anywhere along the urinary tract. One cannot readily...

Read the Blood in Urine article »










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