A kidney infection is classified in the health care community as a urinary tract infection, or UTI. UTI's are any infection of the urinary tract, which includes the urethra, bladder, ureters and kidneys. Kidney infections are commonly the most severe form of UTI's and without medical treatment can lead to permanent kidney damage. It is important to recognize the symptoms of UTI's, including kidney infections, in children and to get to a physician as soon as possible. Doing so is difficult, as many children are unable to express their exact symptoms and pain levels.
Urgency and Frequency
Children have small bladders and even when healthy cannot hold very much urine in their bladders. While suffering from a kidney infection, children may experience the urge to urinate more frequently than usual. They may also experience extreme urgency, complaining that they must use the restroom immediately to avoid accidentally wetting themselves.
Inability to Urinate or Empty Bladder
Many children with kidney infections experience the inability to urinate at times. They may complain that they feel as if they need to urinate but can't. They may also feel as if there is still more urine in their bladders after using the restroom. While kidney and urinary tract infections continue, the urethra, bladder, ureters and kidneys will become irritated and may become inflamed. Inflammation of the urinary tract can lead to urinary retention, which needs to be addressed by a general physician or pediatrician.
Fever and Chills
Although not always the case, your child may experience fever and chills if she is suffering from a kidney infection. Most pediatricians consider any temperature above 99.5 degrees F to be a fever in a child, but always follow the recommendations of your physician specific to your child. Never give medications to your child to reduce fever without the direction and supervision of a physician. If your child experiences fever and chills, he may complain that he feels hot and then shortly thereafter complain that he feels very cold. This process can repeat itself frequently until his fever breaks.
Nausea and Vomiting
Many children experience nausea while suffering from a kidney infection. Some children also experience vomiting, but nausea can be present in a kidney infection without vomiting. Your child's physician may be able to prescribe medications to alleviate this discomfort until it resolves on its own. If your child starts to vomit, seek medical care immediately, as this can quickly lead to dehydration. If left untreated, dehydration can lead to death.
Pain
Most children will experience pain while suffering from a kidney infection. Pain will usually be present in the lower back when associated with kidney infections. This pain can also radiate into the lower stomach near the bladder. Children have a hard time accurately describing their pain and its location. They may simply tell you that their stomach is hurting. It is important to recognize this as a symptom of a potential kidney infection.
