The symptoms of a kidney infection include:
- pain in your side
- pain and discomfort in your lower back and around your genitals
- high temperature (it may reach 39.5ºC or 103.1ºF)
- shivering
- chills
- feeling very weak
- loss of appetite
- feeling sick
- being sick
- diarrhoea
You can also have other symptoms if you also have cystitis or urethritis (an infection of the urethra). These additional symptoms may include:
- pain or a burning sensation during urination
- the need to urinate frequently or urgently
- feeling that you're unable to urinate fully
- cloudy, bloody or bad smelling urine
- pain in your lower abdomen
Children
Children with a kidney infection may also have additional symptoms such as:
When to seek medical advice
Contact your GP if you have a high temperature, persistent pain, or if you notice a change to your usual pattern of urination.
Kidney infections require prompt treatment with antibiotics to help relieve symptoms and prevent complications developing.
Now, find out how kidney infection is diagnosed.
