Kidney infections occur 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 to avoid dangerous complications. Therefore, know what are the characteristics of a kidney infection so that you can be aware of it.
Kidney infection can be experienced by anyone, but women are more at risk of suffering from this condition than men. Usually, a kidney infection begins with an infection in the lower urinary tract (urethra) and bladder which then spreads to the kidneys. Therefore, some of the features of a kidney infection can be very similar to an infection in both locations.
Symptoms of Kidney Infection
Some of the signs of kidney infection that generally appear are:
1. Pain when urinating
One of the hallmarks of kidney infection is pain when urinating or dysuria. This complaint can arise due to 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 often 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, the bladder feels full even though only a little filled and the urge to urinate continues to appear.
3. Fever and chills
The characteristics of this one kidney infection are usually used to distinguish 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. Back pain
The next sign of kidney infection is the appearance of low back pain. The kidneys are located on the right and left sides of the spine, just below the ribs. As a result, when the kidneys have problems, complaints in the form of back pain or low back pain are possible.
Back pain caused by a kidney infection is usually a dull ache. Pain can be mild or severe, depending on how severe the kidney infection is.
5. Stomach pain
Not only causes back pain, kidney infections can also trigger abdominal pain. Infections that occur in the kidneys can trigger the abdominal muscles to contract, causing pain. This pain can also radiate to the pelvic area or groin.
6. Urine cloudy and smelly
Urinary tract infections can cause changes in urine. However, if the urinary tract infection has spread to the kidneys, the urine will usually look cloudy and smell bad.
7. Bloody urine
In severe kidney infections, 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 the resistance of the immune system. The characteristics of this kidney infection indicate that the infection is quite severe.
Recognizing the characteristics of a kidney infection is important as a form of anticipation, especially if you are more at risk of developing a kidney infection, for example, are female, have a history of urinary tract infection in the past 1 year, or suffer from blockage in the urinary tract due to kidney stones or an enlarged prostate.
If you feel the symptoms of a kidney infection as described above, immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment. If this condition is not treated promptly, the risk for serious complications, such as kidney failure or sepsis, will be higher.
