Kidney infections are relatively rare, but they can happen at any age, especially among women. In fact, women are six times more likely to get a kidney infection than men.

If you believe you have a kidney infection and aren’t sure what to do about it, read on as our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team provides some helpful info.

What Is a Kidney Infection?

A kidney infection, or pyelonephritis, is a type of urinary tract infection that generally begins in your urethra or bladder and travels to one or both of your kidneys.

A kidney infection requires prompt medical attention. If not treated properly, a kidney infection can permanently damage your kidneys, or the bacteria can spread to your bloodstream and cause a life-threatening infection. We’ve listed some common symptoms to watch out for below.

Kidney Infection Symptoms

• Fever
• Chills
• Back or side pain
• Groin pain
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Frequent urination
• Urine that’s cloudy, smells bad or contains blood

How Can a Kidney Infection Be Successfully Treated?

Unfortunately, kidney infections can’t be adequately treated at home. If you do experience any of the above symptoms, you’ll need to visit our AFC center to get the necessary treatment to eliminate the infection.

The type of treatment your doctor will provide depends on the severity of the infection. If the infection is mild, oral antibiotics are the first line of treatment. For a more serious infection, your doctor may keep you in the hospital to receive intravenous antibiotics and intravenous fluids. Below, we’ve listed some things you can do at home to help your kidneys recover alongside your doctor’s treatments.

At-Home Complementary Treatments

• Drink lots of water.
• Drink unsweetened cranberry juice.
• Avoid alcohol and coffee.
• Take probiotics.
• Use non-aspirin pain relievers.
• Consume apples and apple juice.

Do you believe you have a kidney infection? If so, don’t wait to visit our AFC Urgent Care Chattanoogacenter to get the necessary treatment!