The kidneys are bean- shaped organs located in the back of the abdomen. As a part of the urinary system, the kidneys filter waste products and produce urine. Bacteria may enter the kidney from the bladder or from the bloodstream and cause an infection called pyelonephritis. Kidney infections are more common for females than males because the short urethra allows bacteria from the large intestine to enter the urinary tract. Antibiotic medications help treat a kidney infection.
Pain
Individuals with a kidney infection may experience pain in several locations. Because the kidneys are located in the back, the pain may begin in the lower back. The infection may affect one or both kidneys at a time and the pain occur near that kidney on one side of the body. Flank pain, which is pain on the side between the ribcage and the hip, may occur on one or both sides of the body. The infection may cause severe abdominal pain that may come and go due to spasms of the ureters, which connect the kidneys to the bladder. Touching the area of the back and sides may cause tenderness and pain.
Urinary Symptoms
Although the infection does not occur in the bladder, symptoms of a bladder infection may occur with a pyelonephritis. Urinary symptoms associated with the infection include an urgent need to urinate frequently and a burning sensation or pain while urinating. Some individuals may also have blood or pus in the urine, also referred to ad hematuria, according to MayoClinic.com. The urine may appear cloudy, red tinged, pink or rust colored due to the pus and blood.
Fever
A fever will usually accompany a kidney infection. The fever may reach higher than 102 degrees F and last for greater than two days, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Chills and shivering may occur in addition to the high fever.
Additional Symptoms
Kidney infections can cause nausea and vomiting. Feelings of generalized illness such as fatigue may occur with the infection. Children and elderly may have vague symptoms associated with a kidney infection. Mental confusion or delirium may occur for elderly individuals because they may not experience the usual symptoms of a kidney infection, says the Merck Manuals. Due to a possible lack of symptoms, the infection may not receive treatment and the infection can spread to the bloodstream to cause the addition mental symptoms.
