A kidney infection occurs when bacteria travel from the bladder up
the ureters and into the kidneys. Occasionally, kidney infections may occur
when bacteria in the blood enter the kidneys.
In addition to painful urination and other symptoms of a bladder
infection, symptoms of kidney infection also include:
- Pain on one side of the back, just below the
rib cage and above the waist. This is often called flank
pain.
- Fever.
- Nausea and vomiting.
If not treated with antibiotics, the infection may damage the
kidneys. The infection may also spread to the bloodstream and become
life-threatening, especially in young children and the elderly.
