How Your Doctor Will Diagnose and Treat a Kidney Infection
Posted on: 25 April 2018
Share
A kidney infection is most often a result of bacteria entering your urethra and travelling up through your bladder to your kidneys. They can be very painful, and if they are not treated, an infection can cause serious damage to your health. Thankfully, a doctor will be able to diagnose and treat a kidney infection easily. Below is a guide to everything you need to know.
Symptoms
If you have a kidney infection, you will feel a dull pain in your side or back. You may also feel as if you have a fever. You may also find that you need to pee more than you usually do and that you experience a burning sensation when you pass water. Your urine may also be smelly or appear cloudy. If you experience these symptoms, ensure you explain these things clearly to your doctor. You should definitely explain how long you've experienced these things.
Diagnosis
If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, you should book an appointment with your GP. The doctor will make a note of the symptoms you are experiencing and will then ask you for a urine sample. You simply need to pee into a plastic pot which will be sealed and sent off to a lab so it can be tested. If high levels of bacteria are found in your urine, this is a sign that you have a kidney infection.
Treatment
The first line of treatment is powerful antibiotics which will kill any harmful bacteria which are living in your kidney, bladder and urinary tract. If you are in a lot of pain, the doctor may also prescribe you painkillers which contain paracetamol and codeine. If the infection is at an advanced stage, the doctor may admit you to a hospital so you can receive antibiotics and fluids via a drip. It will take some time for the antibiotics to work, so it is essential that you take them as prescribed and that you complete the full course of treatment.
Prevention
You can prevent future kidney, bladder, and urinary tract infections by drinking plenty of fluids which will help to wash out any bacteria and going to the toilet as soon as you feel the urge rather than holding urine inside your bladder. Visiting the loo when you have just engaged in sexual intercourse can also help to prevent bacteria from entering your urinary tract.
If you think you may have a kidney infection or if you would like to find out more, you should contact your doctor today for further help and advice.