Kidney infections are just one of the multiple infections that involve the urinary tract. Causes of a kidney infection are from bacteria that gained entry through the urinary tract, usually through the anus or vagina.

Some of the most common kidney infections doctors see each year include:

– Complicated kidney infections
Complicated kidney infections refer to infections that are accompanied by a condition that increases the risk of severe infection and ineffective treatment, like abnormalities of the urinary tract, urinary obstruction, or diabetes.

– Chronic kidney infections
Chronic kidney infections refer to a recurring kidney infection as a result of a kidney stone obstructing the ureter or other structural abnormalities that are affecting the ureters.

To detect a kidney infection, you must start noticing the signs and symptoms of a kidney infection, these common symptoms include:

– Fever
– Chills
– Abdominal pain
– Nausea
– Vomiting
– Painful urination
– Urinating frequently

Once you start noticing the signs and symptoms of a kidney infection, it’s time to call the doctor for an appointment or walk into our urgent care for a check-up. A physician will perform a complete physical examination and take detailed medical history notes about the patient. Then an evaluation will commence which includes checking the vital signs of the patient like heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and respiratory rate. The physician will assess for any signs of dehydration, and check for any tenderness that may be located in the mid to lower back region.

Finally, a urinalysis test will need to be completed, as this is the key component in diagnosing if a patient has a kidney infection or some other type of infection or issue that is causing problems. The urinalysis will detect if there is a presence of white blood cells or bacteria in the urine. If so, it is highly suggested and supported that the patient has a kidney infection or a urinary tract infection. White blood cells are not the only indicator, other indications of a urine infection include seeing leukocyte esterase or nitrites in the urine sample. It is important to determine the number of bacteria found in the urine sample, if it’s greater than 100,000 in one cc of urine, it is considered a diagnostic urinary tract infection.

To tell if you are having back pain in relation to kidney problems or if it’s just back pain from other issues will depend on where it is located. Kidney pain is felt mainly higher and deeper in the body than usual back pain. Patients normally feel it in the upper half of their back, unlike back discomfort, it is usually felt in one or both sides and usually under the rib cage.

Kidney pain also does not go away easily, it is often quite constant in comparison to back pain. While back pain you can easily change a position and find relief. Depending on the cause, you may notice a few other symptoms in relation to kidney problems, which are:

– Fever
– Body aches
– Fatigue

If you believe you might be dealing with kidney-related pain, walk into our clinic immediately for a check-up from one of our physicians on staff.

Kidney infections develop rather quickly, it’s highly recommended to visit a doctor for an evaluation upon noticing symptoms and any pain. If treated promptly, a kidney infection shouldn’t cause any harm and should be treated rather quickly, leaving you feeling better and able to continue on to your daily life.

However, in some cases, a kidney infection can be serious and need immediate medical attention. If you are experiencing a fever of 101^oF or higher, unable to drink or take oral medication along with the other kidney infection-related symptoms, it is highly recommended to visit your nearest emergency room for treatment. This could be a more serious infection, and you may need to be kept at the hospital for observation with IV antibiotics followed by outpatient oral antibiotics once you are out of the hospital.

For more infection about kidney infections, call us. We serve patients from Benore Toledo OH, Reynolds Toledo OH, Maumee OH, Perrysburg OH, Monclova OH, Waterville OH, Holland OH, Rossford OH, Bowling Green OH, Haskins OH and Walbridge OH.