These Are the Characteristics of Kidney Infection
Kidney infection occurs when bacteria and viruses enter the kidneys through the urinary tract or ureters. This disease needs to be detected and treated as soon as possible so that dangerous complications do not occur. Therefore, know what are the characteristics of a kidney infection so you can be aware of it.
Kidney infection can be experienced by anyone, but women are more at risk of developing this condition than men. Usually, kidney infection begins with an infection in the lower urinary tract (urethra) and bladder which then spreads to the kidneys. Hence, some of the features of kidney infection can be very similar to infection at either location.
Characteristics of Kidney Infection
Some of the characteristics of a kidney infection that generally appear are:
1. Pain when urinating
One of the characteristics of a kidney infection is a pain when urinating or dysuria. This complaint can arise because of inflammation of the inner wall of the urethra. Even so, dysuria is not only caused by kidney infections, but also other diseases such as vaginal yeast infections, kidney stones, and sexually transmitted infections.
2. Frequent urination
The urge to urinate more frequently than usual can also be a sign of a kidney infection. This condition occurs when the bladder becomes inflamed and becomes more sensitive to pressure from urine. The effect is, the bladder feels full even though it is only slightly filled and the urge to urinate continues to arise.
3. Fever and chills
This characteristic of a kidney infection is usually used to differentiate between kidney infections and urinary tract infections that are located further down (urethra and bladder). This is because when the infection has spread to the kidneys, the body will increase its immune response to fight the infection. Fever is one response.
4. Low back pain
The next characteristic of kidney infection is the appearance of back pain. The kidneys are located on the right and left side of the spine, precisely under the ribs. As a result, when the kidneys experience problems, complaints in the form of back pain or low back pain may occur.
Back pain caused by kidney infection is usually a dull pain. Pain can be mild and it can be severe, depending on how severe the kidney infection is.
5. Abdominal pain
Not only causes back pain, but kidney infections can also trigger abdominal pain. Infection that occurs in the kidneys can trigger the abdominal muscles to contract, resulting in pain. This pain can also radiate to the pelvic area or groin.
6. Urine is cloudy and smelly
Urinary tract infections can indeed cause changes in the urine. However, if the urinary tract infection has spread to the kidneys, usually the urine will look cloudier and smell foul.
7. Bloody urine
In a severe kidney infection, swelling, and irritation that occurs can cause bleeding in the urinary tract, resulting in bloody urine ( hematuria ). This condition is characterized by dark urine.
8. Nausea and vomiting
Patients with kidney infections can also experience nausea and vomiting in response to resistance from the immune system. These characteristics of kidney infection indicate that the infection is quite severe.
Recognizing the characteristics of a kidney infection is important as a form of precaution, especially if you are at higher risk of developing kidney infections, for example, you are female, have a history of urinary tract infections in the past 1 year, or have an obstruction in the urinary tract due to kidney stones or an enlarged prostate.
If you feel the symptoms of a kidney infection as described above, consult a doctor immediately to get proper treatment. If this condition is not treated promptly, the risk for serious complications, such as kidney failure or sepsis, will be higher.
Kidney infection can be experienced by anyone, but women are more at risk of developing this condition than men. Usually, kidney infection begins with an infection in the lower urinary tract (urethra) and bladder which then spreads to the kidneys. Hence, some of the features of kidney infection can be very similar to infection at either location.
Characteristics of Kidney Infection
Some of the characteristics of a kidney infection that generally appear are:
1. Pain when urinating
One of the characteristics of a kidney infection is a pain when urinating or dysuria. This complaint can arise because of inflammation of the inner wall of the urethra. Even so, dysuria is not only caused by kidney infections, but also other diseases such as vaginal yeast infections, kidney stones, and sexually transmitted infections.
2. Frequent urination
The urge to urinate more frequently than usual can also be a sign of a kidney infection. This condition occurs when the bladder becomes inflamed and becomes more sensitive to pressure from urine. The effect is, the bladder feels full even though it is only slightly filled and the urge to urinate continues to arise.
3. Fever and chills
This characteristic of a kidney infection is usually used to differentiate between kidney infections and urinary tract infections that are located further down (urethra and bladder). This is because when the infection has spread to the kidneys, the body will increase its immune response to fight the infection. Fever is one response.
4. Low back pain
The next characteristic of kidney infection is the appearance of back pain. The kidneys are located on the right and left side of the spine, precisely under the ribs. As a result, when the kidneys experience problems, complaints in the form of back pain or low back pain may occur.
Back pain caused by kidney infection is usually a dull pain. Pain can be mild and it can be severe, depending on how severe the kidney infection is.
5. Abdominal pain
Not only causes back pain, but kidney infections can also trigger abdominal pain. Infection that occurs in the kidneys can trigger the abdominal muscles to contract, resulting in pain. This pain can also radiate to the pelvic area or groin.
6. Urine is cloudy and smelly
Urinary tract infections can indeed cause changes in the urine. However, if the urinary tract infection has spread to the kidneys, usually the urine will look cloudier and smell foul.
7. Bloody urine
In a severe kidney infection, swelling, and irritation that occurs can cause bleeding in the urinary tract, resulting in bloody urine ( hematuria ). This condition is characterized by dark urine.
8. Nausea and vomiting
Patients with kidney infections can also experience nausea and vomiting in response to resistance from the immune system. These characteristics of kidney infection indicate that the infection is quite severe.
Recognizing the characteristics of a kidney infection is important as a form of precaution, especially if you are at higher risk of developing kidney infections, for example, you are female, have a history of urinary tract infections in the past 1 year, or have an obstruction in the urinary tract due to kidney stones or an enlarged prostate.
If you feel the symptoms of a kidney infection as described above, consult a doctor immediately to get proper treatment. If this condition is not treated promptly, the risk for serious complications, such as kidney failure or sepsis, will be higher.
