Pyelonephritis
The symptoms of a kidney infection usually develop quite quickly over a few hours or days.
Common symptomsinclude:
You may have other symptomsif you also have cystitis or urethritis (an infection of the urethra). These additional symptoms may include:
Children with a kidney infection may also have additional symptoms, such as:
Contact your GP if you have a high temperature, persistent pain, or if you notice a change to your usual pattern of urination. Contact your GP immediately if you think your child may have a kidney infection.
If you have blood in your urine, you should always see your GP so the cause can be investigated.
Kidney infections require prompt treatment with antibiotics to help relieve symptoms and prevent complications developing .
Your GP can carry out some simple tests to help diagnose a kidney infection.
See diagnosing kidney infections for more information.
A kidney infection (pyelonephritis) is a painful and unpleasant illness caused by bacteria travelling from your bladder into one or both of your kidneys
The symptoms of a kidney infection usually develop quite quickly over a few hours or days.
A kidney infection happens when bacteria enters and infects one or both of your kidneys.
To work out if you have a kidney infection, your GP will ask you about your symptoms and your recent medical history.
Most people with a kidney infection can be treated at home by taking a course of antibiotics, and possibly painkillers as well.
Most kidney infections are treated successfully without any complications, although some people may develop further problems.
The best way to prevent a kidney infection is to keep your bladder and urethra free from bacteria.