Kidney infection

A kidney infection is a painful and unpleasant illness usually caused by cystitis, a common infection of the bladder.

Most people with cystitis won't get a kidney infection but, occasionally, the bacteria can travel up from the bladder into one or both kidneys.

If treated with antibiotics straightaway, a kidney infection doesn't cause serious harm, although you'll feel very unwell. If a kidney infection isn't treated, it can get worse and sometimes cause permanent kidney damage.

Symptoms of kidney infection

Symptoms of a kidney infection often come on within a few hours. You can feel feverish, shivery, sick and have a pain in your back or side.

Read more about the symptoms of a kidney infection.

In addition to feeling unwell like this, you may also have symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) such as cystitis. These include:

• needing to pee suddenly, or more often than usual
• pain or a burning sensation when peeing
• smelly or cloudy pee
• blood in your pee

When to see your GP

See your GP if you feel feverish and have pain that won't go away in your tummy, lower back or genitals.

You should also see a GP if you have symptoms of a UTI that haven't improved after a few days, or if you have blood in your pee.

Contact your GP immediately if you think your child may have a kidney infection.

If you can't get a GP appointment and you need urgent medical attention, go to your nearest urgent care centre (UCC). If you don't have a local UCC, go to your nearest Accident and Emergency (A&E) department.

Diagnosing kidney infection

To work out if you have a kidney infection, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and recent medical history.

They will carry out a urine test to see if you have a UTI.

If you are a male with a confirmed UTI, your GP will refer you straight to a specialist (a urologist) for further investigation.

Treatment of kidney infection

Most kidney infections need prompt treatment with antibiotics to stop the infection from damaging the kidneys or spreading to the bloodstream. You may also need painkillers.

If you're especially vulnerable to the effects of an infection – for example, if you have a long-term health condition or are pregnant – you may be admitted to hospital and treated with antibiotics through a drip.

After taking antibiotics, you should feel completely better after about 2 weeks.

Read more about treating a kidney infection.

Causes of kidney infection

A kidney infection usually happens when bacteria – often a type called E. coli – get into the tube that carries urine out of your body (urethra). The bacteria travel up to your bladder, causing cystitis, and then up into your kidneys.

E. coli bacteria normally live in your bowel, where they cause no harm. They can be transferred from your bottom to your genitals during sex or if you're not careful when wiping your bottom after going to the loo.

A kidney infection can sometimes develop without a bladder infection – for example, if you have a problem with your kidney, such as kidney stones, or if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system.

Who's at risk?

Kidney infections can happen at any age and are much more common in women. This is because a woman's urethra is shorter, making it easier for bacteria to reach the kidneys.

Younger women are most at risk because they tend to be more sexually active, and having frequent sex increases the chances of getting a kidney infection.

Preventing kidney infection

The best way to prevent a kidney infection is to keep your bladder and urethra free from bacteria by:

• drinking plenty of fluids (plain water is best)
• going to the loo as soon as you feel the need to, rather than holding it in
• going to the loo after sex
• wiping from front to back after going to the loo
• washing your genitals every day, and before having sex if possible
• treating any constipation – being constipated can increase your chance of developing a UTI
• not using a diaphragm or condoms coated in spermicide if you're prone to getting UTIs – it's thought spermicide can increase your risk of getting a UTI

If you keep getting urine infections, your GP may prescribe you a low dose of antibiotics to take regularly. This may help to prevent the infection returning or prevent any infection spreading to the kidneys.