Kidney infections are quite rare, but they can cause some severe health complications when not dealt with properly. Not to mention, they’re both uncomfortable to experience and to talk about.

Despite these things, kidney infections do happen, and it’s important to learn more about them. Our AFC Urgent Care Easley team provides some helpful information on the topic below.

What Is a Kidney Infection?

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

A kidney infection requires prompt medical attention. If not treated properly, a kidney infection can permanently damage the kidneys, or the bacteria from the infection can spread through the bloodstream and cause sepsis. 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

What Are the Common Causes of Kidney Infections?

The most common cause of a kidney infection is when bacteria get into the urethra and travel up through the bladder and into the kidneys. Oftentimes, this is caused by a lingering bladder infection or a UTI that has gone untreated.

For those that have weakened immune systems, a kidney infection can also develop if bacteria or fungi have infected the skin and traveled through the bloodstream and into the kidneys; however, this is rare. Below, we’ve listed a few easy prevention tactics you can implement to help avoid future kidney infections!

Kidney Infection Prevention Tactics

• Drink plenty of water.
• Urinate as soon as you feel the need to do so.
• Urinate after sex.
• Wipe from front to back after going to the bathroom if you are a woman. This helps to keep bacteria from the vagina from getting into the urethra.
• Avoid using deodorant sprays or douches in the genital area.

If you have any other questions about kidney infections or need general medical care, don’t hesitate to visit us at AFC Urgent Care Easley today.