Urinary tract infections often include the kidney and the bladder. One of the most common types of UTIs is the bladder infection. Kidney infections are much more serious and often require hospitalization, according to MayoClinic.com. Both bladder and kidney infections commonly occur when bacteria enters the urinary tract through the urethra. Causes of bacterial transmission to the bladder and kidney include use of a urinary catheter, sexual activity, kidney stone development or defects in the urinary tract. Women suffer from bladder and kidney infections more than men. According to the Merck Manual, about one third of patients with kidney infection experience the same type of symptoms as a bladder infection.
Pain
A person with a kidney infection experiences pain in the lower back, located to the side of the spine, above the hips. The pain is commonly referred to as flank pain, and is commonly misidentified as back pain, according to the Discover Health website. Kidney pain associated with an infection commonly lasts only as long as the urinary tract infection. One or both kidneys become enlarged and feel painful when touched, reports the Merck Manual. Pain associated with bladder infections occurs in the lower abdominal area. A person with a bladder infection feels pressure and general discomfort. Pain and a burning sensation is often felt during urination when a bladder infection is present, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Changes in Urination
Urine looks cloudy during the presence of a bladder and kidney infection. According to Merck, 30 percent of patient's urine contains visible blood during a bladder infection. Pus or drainage may also be visible in the urine. Urine may look dark and amber colored and contains a strong odor. A person may feel the increased need to urinate, and urinated more often.
Additional Symptoms
Nausea, vomiting and chills occur in kidney infections, similar to symptoms experienced during the flu. A high-grade fever is commonly present with kidney infections, while a low grade fever during bladder infections. A person experiencing kidney infection symptoms should seek immediate medical attention. Complications associated to an untreated kidney infection include permanent kidney damage and blood poisoning.
