What Is A Urinary Tract Infection
A urinary tract infection is an infection in the urinary tract, which runs from your kidneys, through the ureters, the urinary bladder and out through the urethra. UTIs are very common and, in general, easy to treat.
A lower UTI, the more common type, affects the lower part of the urinary tract, the urethra and urinary bladder. Infection of the urethra is called urethritis and of the bladder is called cystitis. If the kidney is infected, called pyelonephritis, this is an upper UTI, as the kidney is the highest part of the urinary tract.
A UTI can be caused by bacteria or a fungus.
Visit Village Emergency Centers
At Village Emergency Centers, we are equipped to deal with all types of emergencies, 24/7. If you think that you might be dealing with a UTI, kidney infection, or another kind of emergency, visit us today. We have locations throughout the Greater Houston area with little to no wait and transparent billing. Should you have questions about when to go to the hospital for kidney infection, give us a call!
How Can I Make Sure My Kidney Infection Is Completely Gone
If you recently had a kidney infection, the health care professional will often repeat urine cultures after your treatment ends to make sure your infection has completely gone away and has not come back. If a repeat test shows infection, you may take another round of antibiotics. If your infection comes back again, he or she may prescribe antibiotics for a longer time period.
If your health care professional prescribes antibiotics, take all of the antibiotics as prescribed and follow the advice of the health care professional. Even if you start to feel better, you should finish all of your medicine.
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Signs You May Have A Kidney Stone And When To Go To The Er
If you have ever suffered from a kidney stone, you know just how uncomfortable and frustrating these urinary tract stones truly are. In fact, many people consider passing a kidney stone to be among the most painful experiences one can go through. Because the symptoms of a kidney stone often mimic the symptoms of unrelated conditions, however, you may not always realize when you are passing a stone. The dedicated team of board-certified ER physicians and expert staff at iCare ER & Urgent Care in Frisco and Fort Worth, TX are proud to provide rapid evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment for kidney stones to help patients feel comfortable again as soon as possible. Learn more about kidney stones here, including what signs and symptoms may mean an urgent visit to your nearest ER is warranted.
What Can I Do To Help Prevent My Child From Getting A Kidney Infection
If you suspect your child has a UTI, get them prompt medical treatment to help prevent the UTI from turning into a kidney infection. Here are some tips for preventing UTIs.
While preventative antibiotics have been found to reduce the number of recurrent UTIs, there isnt any evidence that their use decreases the risk of kidney infection or scarring. Uncircumcised boys that are less than one year old are ten times more likely to get UTIs than circumcised boys, but by age two the risk decreases and circumcision does not have an effect on infection rates.
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Pyelonephritis Treatment And Antibiotics In Pregnancy
Pyelonephritis needs quick treatment with antibiotics to stop it from damaging the kidney or spreading to the bloodstream .
If youre pregnant and have pyelonephritis, youll more than likely be admitted to hospital so doctors can take regular urine and blood samples. Your doctor can speak to you about which antibiotics are safe in pregnancy and youll probably be given them intravenously .
How An Urgent Care Can Help
Emergency rooms are for just thatemergencies. Although painful, UTIs are not life-threatening and can usually be treated safely and cost effectively at an urgent care center. Common symptoms of UTIs that can be taken care of at an urgent care include:
- Strong or frequent urges to urinate
- Passing small amounts of urine
- A burning feeling while urinating
- Cloudy, red, pink or brown urine
- Urine with a strong smell
Most urgent care facilities will prescribe an antibiotic and give you information about how to manage your discomfort at home.
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How Long Does A Uti Last
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If you have a UTI, its best to get it treated right away before any complications develop . Its possible for a UTI to get better on its own, but most of the time, it wont. While home remedies can help ease some of the discomfort, a doctor can prescribe you an antibiotic that is a much quicker and more effective treatment. An antibiotic will start working immediately and, depending on how complicated your UTI is, may clear it up in a matter of days. Be sure to always take your medication how your doctor prescribes.
When To Go To The Hospital For Kidney Infection
Kidney infections are no joke, and it can be easier than you might think to get one. And while most people might easily mistake signs of a kidney infection for something less serious like a yeast infection. Its important to be aware of your body, because a UTI can potentially lead to kidney problems like kidney failure. Keep reading to learn more about when to go to the hospital for a kidney infection, how to identify one, and the kidney problems that it can cause.
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Women Are 10x More Likely To Get A Uti Than Men
When it comes to developing a urinary tract infection, anatomy isnt in a womans favor. Her urethra is shorter than a mans, making it easier for bacteria to travel up to the bladder and multiply. That doesnt mean that men dont suffer from UTIs though. They do, especially as they age, but not at the same rate as women.
Statistics from the National Kidney Foundation show that 1 in 5 women will have at least one UTI in her lifetime. And unfortunately, once you get one, youre more inclined to have another. Some women are also more prone to infection because of pregnancy and both perimenopause and menopause.
Causes Of Kidney Infection
Pyelonephritis is more common among women than men. Escherichia coli, a type of bacteria normally in the large intestine, causes about 90% of cases of pyelonephritis among people who are not hospitalized or living in a nursing home. Infections usually ascend from the genital area through the urethra to the bladder, up the ureters, into the kidneys. In a person with a healthy urinary tract, an infection is usually prevented from moving up the ureters into the kidneys by the flow of urine washing organisms out and by closure of the ureters at their entrance to the bladder. However, any physical blockage to the flow of urine, such as a structural abnormality, kidney stone, or an enlarged prostate gland, or the backflow of urine from the bladder into the ureters increases the likelihood of pyelonephritis.
The risk of pyelonephritis is increased during pregnancy. During pregnancy, the enlarging uterus puts pressure on the ureters, which partially obstructs the normal downward flow of urine. Pregnancy also increases the risk of reflux of urine up the ureters by causing the ureters to dilate and reducing the muscle contractions that propel urine down the ureters into the bladder. Occasionally, a catheter that remains in the bladder can cause pyelonephritis by allowing bacteria to enter or remain in the bladder.
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Kidney Infection Versus Uti: Whats The Difference
Kidney infections are a type of UTI, but its often more aggressive because the bladder infection has spread further up the urinary tract. So, if you hold off on seeking treatment, things can maybe start to get dicey. This is a serious organ infection and people need to take care of it, David Kaufman, MD, a urologist at New Yorks Central Park Urology, tells SELF. Bladder infections are uncomfortable, but kidney infections can be deadly.
As for how long it takes for a bladder infection to turn into a kidney infection? Theres no one-size-fits-all answer, but once infection-causing bacteria make their way from the bladder up into the kidneys, a persons symptoms can start to intensify very suddenly.
Burning Pain With Urination
If you want to get fancy, this is called dysuria, and its common in womens health issues like yeast infections and vaginal infections. Inflammation along the lining of the urethra can cause that sort of burning sensation when you go to the bathroom, says Leisman.
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Is It A Kidney Infection Or Something Else
Your symptoms could also result from another common illness. Some similar conditions you may mistake for a kidney infection include:
- Other UTIs. Other types of UTIs, such as those affecting the urethra and bladder, can also cause symptoms like urgent and painful urination, abdominal pain, and urine thats cloudy, foul-smelling, or bloody.
- Kidney stones.Kidney stones are hard deposits of materials like calcium or uric acid that form in the kidneys. When they become lodged in the kidneys, they can cause pain in the abdomen, side, or back, as well as nausea and vomiting.
- Lower back pain. If low back pain is your primary symptom, you may have a condition thats affecting your lower back. Examples include injuries, degenerative disc disease, and nerve compression.
- Pregnancy. Symptoms like frequent urination, nausea and vomiting, and abdominal cramping can all be early signs of pregnancy.
Its always a good rule of thumb to seek medical attention if you experience any new or concerning symptoms. A healthcare professional can work with you to determine what may be causing them.
Heres an idea of what you can expect when you seek care for a possible kidney infection.
How Are Acute Kidney Infections Treated
Children are typically given oral antibiotics to take at home. However, if the infection is advanced, a child may receive intravenous antibiotics in the hospital. Staying well hydrated is an extremely important part of treatment, and children should drink plenty of fluids during and after treatment. There is evidence that good hydration during recovery may help reduce long-term kidney damage.
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When To Seek Urgent Care Or Go To The Hospital
Some symptoms point to a more severe infection that needs prompt medical attention.
Go to an urgent care center or hospital if you have any of the symptoms below, which may or may not occur alongside the other UTI symptoms listed above:
- back or side pain
- nausea or vomiting
Kidney infections can cause potentially serious complications. If you feel like something isnt right, dont hesitate to seek care as soon as possible.
Without treatment, a kidney infection can cause serious complications. These can include:
How Are Utis Treated
UTIs are treated with antibiotics. After several days of antibiotics, your doctor may repeat the urine tests to be sure that the infection is gone. Its important to make sure of this because an incompletely treated UTI can come back or spread.
If a child has severe pain when peeing, the doctor may also prescribe medicine that numbs the lining of the urinary tract.
Give prescribed antibiotics on schedule for as many days as your doctor directs. Keep track of your childs trips to the bathroom, and ask your child about symptoms like pain or burning during peeing. These symptoms should improve within 2 to 3 days after antibiotics are started.
Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids, but skip drinks that containe caffeine , such as soda and iced tea.
Most UTIs are cured within a week with treatment.
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Drink Plenty Of Liquids
Drinking plenty of liquids, particularly water, will help to wash bacteria from your bladder and urinary tract.
Drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry extracts may also help prevent urinary tract infections . However, you should avoid cranberry juice or extracts if you’re taking warfarin, a medicine used to prevent blood clots. Cranberry juice can make the effects of warfarin more potent, so there’s a risk of excessive bleeding.
Types Of Kidney Infection
Kidney infections can be acute or chronic.
An acute kidney infection is one that goes away after treatment.
A chronic infection comes and goes, or may never go away properly. This type of infection can damage the kidneys. It usually occurs if there is a problem that causes urine to flow backwards from the bladder and up into the kidneys.
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How Can I Prevent A Kidney Infection
You may be able to lower your chance of getting a kidney infection by:
- Drinking plenty of water
- Urinating as soon as you feel the need to
- Urinating after having sex
- Avoiding the use of deodorant sprays or douches in your genital area
- Getting treatment for constipation . Constipation is not a symptom of kidney infection but it can increase your chance of having bacteria in your urinary tract because it can make it difficult to empty your bladder fully.
Should I Go To The Er For A Kidney Infection
Urinary Infections
Should I go to the ER for a kidney infection? Kidney infections occur when bacteria from your bowel enter your urinary tract, causing an infection that requires medical attention. However, you may not need to visit the emergency room for a kidney infection if your symptoms are not severe. If you do believe youre having severe kidney infection symptoms, visit an emergency room as soon as possible.
Check out the answers to other ER-related questions:
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How Long Does It Take For Antibiotics To Work For Kidney Inf
Just been prescribed ciprofloxacin for kidney infection wondering how long it take to work, was told 48 hours by GP but still feel really ill after 4 days. Never had this before so not sure how long it will last.
1 like, 43 replies
Posted 12 years ago
I just went to the Emergency room last night in so much pain. I was on your same antibiotic for 3 days and it had not helped one bit yet. They retested my urine and it was still heavely infected. They had to put me on IV antibiotics. Im hoping it clears it up! I still feel awful. Heading back to the ER for my second round of IV antibiotics in an hour. Hopefully it works sooooooon!!
Posted 6 years ago
Antibiotics dont work in 3-4 days for a kidney infection. I was in hospital for 4 days followed b a 7 day course of pivmillcium 4 times a day. I then had a relapse and had to have a further 14 days for 3 times a day.
The antibiotics in themselves are pretty bad for sickness and diarrhoea so its a rough ride
Posted 5 years ago
Thanks for your post. It helps me. I am currently being treated for what they think is a kidney infection and I have only had 10 days of antibiotics. It is much better but not totally gone, so I will go back and see if they will put me on antibiotics longer. Its good to hear other peoples experiences. Its otherwise scary.
When To See A Gp
See a GP if you feel feverish and have pain that will not go away in your tummy, lower back or genitals.
You should also see a GP if you have symptoms of a UTI that have not improved after a few days, or if you have blood in your pee.
Contact a GP immediately if you think your child may have a kidney infection.
If you cannot get a GP appointment and need urgent medical attention, go to your nearest urgent care centre .
If you do not have a local UCC, go to your nearest A& E.
You can do some things at home to feel better while you have an infection:
- Drink plenty of fluids to flush out germs.
- Get extra rest.
- When you go to the bathroom, sit on the toilet instead of squatting over it, which can keep your bladder from completely emptying.
- Take a pain reliever with acetaminophen. Donât use aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen because these can raise your risk of kidney problems.
- Use a heating pad on your belly, back, or side.
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When Should You Go To The Hospital For Kidney Stones Kidney Stone Surgery Recovery
Certain kidney stone symptoms and changes in symptoms may indicate the need to consult with a primary care provider or visit the emergency room.
You should go to the hospital or seek medical attention for these kidney stone symptoms:
- A sharp pain in the side, back or lower abdomen
- Pain when urinating
- Blood in the urine
- Fever or chills
- Nausea and vomiting
- Experiencing immense pain, becoming unbearable
If you encounter any of these symptoms you should always consult with your physician so that you can be properly diagnosed and the condition of your stone can be understood. When patients experience excruciating abdominal pain, fever, chills, or sudden changes in urinary patterns, this can mean that the stone is causing a blockage in the patientâs urinary tract or is possibly infected.
A blockage or an infected stone may cause additional health issues, worsen current symptoms, and bring additional symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. Should this occur, patients must visit the emergency room immediately. The patient will likely require some type of medical intervention such as medication or surgery.
Types of kidney stone surgery and recovery include: