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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Kidney Infection?
Posted on
Mon, 19 Oct 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 19 Oct 2015
Answered on
Mon, 9 Nov 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : Ok... so I have been having just minor discomfort (not all the time.. two or three times a week) in my left upper back/side - above my waist line. Wondering if I have a kidney infection.
What do you think
What do you think
Brief Answer:
Usually kidney infections make you also feel sick.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Sorry you are having this discomfort in your flank.
Pyelonephritis/kidney infection, in addition to flank pain, usually causes a fever, chills and nausea and feeling unwell. So I think it is less likely that you have a kidney infection. Usually there are urinary symptoms such as burning and pain on urination and the urine culture would grow bacteria.
A small kidney stone can cause flank pain too. If it is small, it can usually pass with hydration - drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. There are other possible treatments for kidney stones too. A urinalysis can help give more information about what is going on.
Costochondritis (inflammation of the cartilage by the ribs) can cause back pain in this area too. This usually hurts more when you move the rib cage.
There are other, less common, causes of pain in the flank too.
I would recommend that you go in to see your doctor and have an exam and a urinalysis done. Then you will know more.
I hope this information helps.
Usually kidney infections make you also feel sick.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Sorry you are having this discomfort in your flank.
Pyelonephritis/kidney infection, in addition to flank pain, usually causes a fever, chills and nausea and feeling unwell. So I think it is less likely that you have a kidney infection. Usually there are urinary symptoms such as burning and pain on urination and the urine culture would grow bacteria.
A small kidney stone can cause flank pain too. If it is small, it can usually pass with hydration - drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. There are other possible treatments for kidney stones too. A urinalysis can help give more information about what is going on.
Costochondritis (inflammation of the cartilage by the ribs) can cause back pain in this area too. This usually hurts more when you move the rib cage.
There are other, less common, causes of pain in the flank too.
I would recommend that you go in to see your doctor and have an exam and a urinalysis done. Then you will know more.
I hope this information helps.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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