What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Utis
Symptoms of a UTI can include:
- pain when peeing
- changes in how often a child needs to pee
- changes in the look or smell of pee
- lower belly pain
- lower back pain or discomfort
UTIs also can cause kids to wet their pants or the bed, even if they haven’t had these problems before. Infants and very young children may only show nonspecific signs, such as fever, vomiting, or decreased appetite or activity.
Signs Of A Kidney Infection
What does a kidney infection feel like? According to the NIDDK, the most common kidney infections symptoms are:
But depending on a persons age, they may not experience all of these kidney infection symptoms. Children younger than two may only experience high fever as a sign of kidney infections, the NIDDK says, and people older than 65 might only present with cognitive issues, like confusion, hallucinations, and disorganized speech.
Treatment Options For Utis
Drinking water and cranberry juice are two common recommendations for lower UTIs. However, research has shown the methods to be inconclusive. Extra liquids make urination easier but do not treat the root cause. Speaking with a doctor is the first step. Doctors will then prescribe antibiotics. As bacteria could stay in the cells of the bladder, removing the infection can be difficult. However, when caught early, antibiotics can be effective.
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How Will My Provider Determine The Cause Of Flank Pain
Your provider will examine you and gently feel the sensitive area. They will ask you where you feel pain and if it gets better or worse with certain activities. Tell them about any symptoms youre having in addition to flank pain.
Your provider may order several tests to look for signs of kidney stones, infection, injuries or disease. These tests include:
- Basic metabolic panel to be sure your kidney function remains normal and that there is no obstruction from a kidney stone.
- Complete blood test and urine tests, to see how your organs are working, check for infection and detect signs of cancer and other disease.
- CT scan or ultrasound, to look for kidney stones and check their size and shape.
- Cystoscopy, to diagnose problems in the lower urinary tract.
- Spine X-ray or MRI, to see detailed images of injuries or abnormalities in your spine.
Understanding Bladder Infection Signs

It is crucial to always listen to the bladder infection signs that your body is giving you. Leaving an infection untreated is dangerous and could be deadly.
If you feel that you could be experiencing an infection, the best course of action is to contact a healthcare professional as soon as symptoms arise.
For more information on how you can get the healthcare, you need .
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Can Alcohol Cause Bladder Problems
Because alcohol is a diuretic, it causes the body to produce more urine, while also making a person use the restroom more frequently. The additional effect of alcohol on the bladder is that it irritates it, which can exacerbate symptoms of overactive bladder. In case of incontinence, you should try to eliminate alcohol.
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Ways To Lower Your Risk Of A Kidney Infection
- Drink lots of water
- Never procrastinate when you need to go
- Always urinate after having sex
- Always wipe from front to back
- Avoid douches and deodorant sprays in the genital area
Contact Oxford Urology Associates immediately if you experience any symptoms of a kidney infection or a urinary tract infection.
As always, if you have any further questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call 234-1448 today!
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Kidney Infection Back Pain
Where does your back hurt if you have a kidney infection? If the pain is associated with the kidneys, it can cause pain on both sides of the lower back and will be concentrated in the area between the ribs and hips, also known as flanks, making kidney infection pain often referred to as flank pain.
Severe kidney pain like that from a kidney stone can result in sharp pains. Additional areas that may be in pain due to a kidney infection are the upper abdomen or the genital areas.
Kidney infection back pain will generally be constant and can be dull or severe depending on the source of the infection. An increase in pain may be triggered by excessive intake of fluids or when pressure is applied on the kidneys. Besides areas surrounding the kidneys, there shouldnât be any tenderness to the touch.
When should I be worried about lower back pain due to a kidney infection? First, it is important to consider other signs and symptoms of kidney infections such as nausea, vomiting, and fever, as doing so can help you distinguish between general back pain and that due to a kidney infection.
Indications of the major signs and symptoms of a kidney infection on top of a significant change to your usual urination pattern are good indicators that its time to contact your doctor. People who have a greater risk of developing a kidney infection, including pregnant women, should be extra vigilant about noticing signs of a kidney infection early on to prevent complications.
What Are The Signs Of A Kidney Infection And What Does A Kidney Infection Feel Like Anyway
Both bladder and kidney infections share some symptoms such as painful urination, frequency, and urgency, but usually only kidney infections present with back pain, nausea or vomiting, fever, and chills, Dr. Movassaghi says. This pain is known as flank pain in the medical community and usually presents on either side of your body between your upper abdomen and lower back. Youll likely notice a deep, dull ache in the area, which is where your kidney pain would likely manifest.
So if youre a young or middle-aged adult, the signs of a kidney infection are similar to what you might experience in the beginning stages of UTI symptoms with extra unpleasantness thrown on top. Heres a breakdown of what to look out for:
- Pain in your back, side, or groin area,
- Nausea or vomiting
An important FYI: Kidney infection signs can differ depending on your age. Adults over 65 might not have any of the typical symptoms and instead present with cognitive issues like confusion, hallucinations, and disorganized speech.
Babies and toddlers, especially girls and uncircumcised boys, can be prone to kidney infections too. And when children under two are affected, the only symptom they might have is a high fever, notes the NIDDK.
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Signs And Symptoms Of Kidney Infection
- Pain in the lower back or groin
- Frequent or urgent urination
Symptoms can also vary by age. For instance, very young children may only have a high fever, while senior adults may not even show any of the typical signs. Instead, they may experience cognitive problems such as difficulty speaking and confused thinking.
When To See Your Gp
See your GP if you have a fever and persistent tummy, lower back or genital pain, or if you notice a change to your usual pattern of urination.
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 pre-existing health condition or are pregnant, you may be admitted to hospital and treated with antibiotics through an intravenous drip.
After taking antibiotics, you should feel completely better after about two weeks.
In rare cases, a kidney infection can cause further problems. These include blood poisoning and a build-up of pus in the kidney called an abscess.
Read more about treating a kidney infection and the complications of a kidney infection
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Bladder Infection Signs: How To Spot Them
The pain can be so intense you almost cant walktrip after trip to the bathroom with no relief in sight. You might be experiencing the painful side effects of a bladder infection.
Urinary tract infections or UTIs can manifest as bladder infections. They affect more than 150 million people each year, and when left untreated, they can pose serious health risks.
But what are the bladder infection signs, and how do you spot them?
We have put together a comprehensive list of signs to help you identify a bladder infection so you can get the medical treatment you need as soon as possible.
How Do Utis Begin

Many types of bacteria live in the intestines and genital area, but this is not true of the urinary system. In fact, urine is sterile. So when errant bacteria, such as the E. coli shown here, is accidentally introduced into the urinary system, it can start a UTI. Typically, bacteria travel up the urethra to the bladder, where an infection can take hold. Women are more susceptible than men, probably because they have shorter urethras.
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When To Seek Treatment
Any of the above symptoms of a kidney infection requires a visit to Oxford Urology Associates.
Do not wait if you have a quick change in the severity of any symptom. Waiting can result in a blood infection known as sepsis. This serious condition is noted by rapid breathing and heart rate, rash, lethargy, elevated blood pressure, fever, chills, and confusion.
Dont wait if you are pregnant since a kidney infection may cause low birth weight.
Dont wait if you are being treated for a UTI with no improvement in your symptoms.
Dont wait if you suddenly are vomiting and have bloody urine.
Foods And Drinks For Kidney Infections
While staying hydrated is one of the most important things to do to ensure frequent flushing of bacteria from the urinary tract, you donât always have to consume water to achieve this goal.
Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties and can be easily mixed with warm water and honey to drink. Parsley also effectively flushes out toxins in the body when consumed as a drink.
Drinking lots of fluids can also prevent constipation and other irritating kidney infection symptoms from occurring.
Fiber-rich foods such as apples and cabbages are also effective preventative measures for constipation. You should avoid foods high in phosphorus until an infection is cured, because infected kidneys prevent organs from properly regulating phosphorus levels in the body.
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Can Beer Cause Bladder Infections
Despite the fact that alcohol is not directly linked to UTIs, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol may increase your chances of getting a UTI. A UTI is caused by bacteria in the bladder that cause irritation and inflammation. It is therefore unlikely that alcohol will cause an UTI directly because it cannot generate bacteria in the bladder.
Lower Back Pain With Fever
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How To Get Rid Of Uti Back Pain
Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are infections that infect areas of your urinary system. The urinary system is made up of four parts:
The urethra is a thin tube that connects the bladder to the outside of your body. When you urinate, the urine flows out of the bladder through the ureters and urethra.
Sometimes bacteria makes its way up the ureters, into your bladder, and sometimes all the way up into your kidneys. This can lead to back pain and is a sign of a serious infection.
Confusion Or Changes In Mental State
The symptoms of UTIs in older adults are often uncommon and complex. For example, seniors may have bacteria in their urine, which indicates a UTI, but not have any of the typical symptoms.
When seniors have a UTI, they often develop confusion, disorientation, and dizziness. These uncommon symptoms most likely arise due to the infections impact on their immune system.
An untreated UTI will only worsen, leading to more severe symptoms, and giving the infection time to spread to your kidneys. If youre not sure your symptoms are due to a UTI, its best to schedule an appointment so we can determine the cause of your symptoms and begin treatment if needed.
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Preventing Urinary Tract Infection
You can reduce your chances of developing a UTI by keeping your bladder and urethra free from bacteria.
You can help prevent an infection by:
- drinking plenty of fluids
Toilet tips
To help keep your urinary tract free from bacteria:
- go to the toilet as soon as you feel the need to urinate , rather than holding it in
- wipe from front to back after going to the toilet
- practice good hygiene by washing your genitals every day and before having sex
- empty your bladder after having sex
- if you’re a woman, avoid hovering over a toilet seat as it can result in your bladder not being fully emptied
Diaphragms and condoms
If you use a diaphragm and have recurring UTIs, you might want to consider changing to another method of contraception. This is because the diaphragm may press on your bladder and prevent it emptying completely when you urinate.
If you get recurring UTIs and you use condoms, try using condoms that don’t have a spermicidal lubricant on them it will say whether it does on the packet.
Spermicidal lubricant can cause irritation and may make it more likely that you’ll experience symptoms similar to a UTI.
Treatment Of Kidney Infection

Most kidney infections need prompt treatment with antibiotics to stop the infection damaging the kidneys or spreading to the bloodstream.
You may also need painkillers.
If you’re especially vulnerable to the effects of an infection , you may be admitted to hospital and treated with antibiotics through a drip.
Most people who are diagnosed and treated promptly with antibiotics feel completely better after about 2 weeks.
People who are older or have underlying conditions may take longer to recover.
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When Should I Call My Doctor About Flank Pain
- Doesnt go away in about a day, or if it goes away and comes back.
- Is severe or comes on suddenly.
- Makes it difficult for you to do everyday activities.
Flank pain that occurs along with other symptoms could be a sign of a serious health problem. Call your provider right away if you have flank pain and:
- Blood in your urine or pain when urinating.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Flank pain is a symptom of several conditions and injuries. Rest, medications and other treatments can relieve pain and help you feel better. Call your provider if you have severe flank pain or it doesnt get better in about a day. You should see your provider right away if you also have other symptoms, such as a fever or chills. These could be signs of a serious condition. By drinking plenty of water and maintaining a weight that’s healthy for you, you can lower your risk of conditions that lead to flank pain.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 05/14/2021.
References
How Common Are Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections are very common, occurring in 1 out of 5 women sometime in their lifetime. Though UTIs are common in women, they can also happen to men, older adults and children. One to 2% of children develop urinary tract infections. Each year, 8 million to 10 million visits to doctors are for urinary tract infections.
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Ok So How Do I Make Sure I Never Get A Uti Or A Kidney Infection
As they say, prevention is the best cure! And there are many things you can do to ensure that youre reducing your risk for an infection, and preventing build up from occurring in the kidneys.
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Practice good hygiene. Always wipe from front to back, keep your genital area clean, wash before and after sex. Basically, do your best to keep bacteria from even having a chance of getting into the urinary system in the first place.
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Drink lots of water. If youre dehydrated, youre not only increasing your chance of a UTI, but youre also decreasing your urine output, meaning that more minerals have a chance to build up and settle in the urinary tract or kidneys.
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Make sure to urinate whenever you feel you have to go. Dont hold it in. This concentrates the urine allowing bacteria to build up and spread.
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Alter your diet if you find youre prone to kidney stones. Cut down on certain meats and shellfish and opting instead for more vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Avoid consuming too much sugar. Cut back on sodium, and eat more oxalate-rich foods .
And if you do start experiencing any of the symptoms above, be sure to see a doctor right away. UTIs, kidney infections, and kidney stones can usually be treated fairly easily, but its important to seek medical attention before any complications develop.