Symptoms of Kidney Infections
Kidney infections, acute gallbladder infections, and pneumococcal pneumonia share a common marker in that they all begin with an abrupt onset of a severe teeth-chattering chill.
Additional symptoms of these infections include pain during urination, increased urinary frequency, and increased urinary urgency. Pain in your lower back is also common.
Diagnosing Kidney Infections
Doctors often diagnose kidney infections based on signs and symptoms, however, you may be asked to provide a urine sample to test for bacteria, blood or pus is in your urine. In addition, blood cultures (a lab test that checks for bacteria or other organisms in your blood) might be performed as well as an ultrasound and other scans, if needed.
Kidney Infection Treatment
Kidney infections are usually treated with oral or IV antibiotics. In most cases, only a short period of IV antibiotics is needed and then a course of oral antibiotics is prescribed to complete treatment. In men, this treatment is typically 4-6 weeks and in women, 1-2 weeks.