They’re not too common; however, they can happen at any age and to anyone.

It’s important to know a little bit about kidney infections and what can increase your risk of getting one, so read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Louisville provides some information on the topic below.

What Is a Kidney Infection?

A kidney infection, or pyelonephritis, 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 can cause lots of further, serious medical complications and requires prompt medical attention. If not treated properly, these medical complications can cause permanent kidney damage and life-threatening infection, caused by the bacteria spreading through the bloodstream. We’ve listed some common symptoms to be on the lookout 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

Am I at Risk of Getting a Kidney Infection?

As we said earlier, kidney infections are relatively rare. However, some things can increase your risk, such as developing a previous UTI, which can (when it’s not treated promptly and correctly) turn into a kidney infection.

In fact, about one of 30 UTIs lead to a future kidney infection. We’ve listed a few more common risk factors below.

Common Kidney Infection Risk Factors

• Being female. Women are more at risk than men for kidney infections because the urethra is shorter than it is in men. This makes it easier for bacteria to reach the urinary tract.
• Pregnancy. The urinary tract shifts in pregnancy and may make it easier for bacteria to get to the kidneys.
• Weakened immune system. This includes people with diabetes, HIV or AIDS, and those taking medications that suppress the immune system.
• Problems emptying your bladder completely, which is called urinary retention.

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to correctly treat a kidney infection at home. If you believe you have a kidney infection, don’t hesitate to visit our AFC Urgent Care Louisville center today to get the treatment you need!