Kidney infection symptoms in women can come on fast and feel very scary. A kidney infection is a serious type of UTI that starts in the bladder and moves up to one or both kidneys.
Because women get UTIs more often, they also have a higher chance of facing these painful symptoms. Knowing what to watch for can help you get care quickly and prevent the infection from becoming dangerous.
How Do Kidney Infections Happen?
Your kidneys are in your back. They’re located just below your ribcage, on either side of your spine. Their job is to filter waste products from your blood and send them out through your urine.
Most urinary tract infections (UTIs) start when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra. This usually causes a bladder infection first. But if a UTI isn’t treated right away, the bacteria can travel upward through the urinary tract and reach the kidneys. When this happens, it leads to a kidney infection called pyelonephritis.
Kidney infections aren’t simple or mild infections. Untreated kidney infections can lead to permanent kidney damage. They can also spread into the bloodstream, causing serious harm.
Kidney Infection Symptoms in Women
1. Fever and Chills
A kidney infection often brings on a noticeable fever, usually 101°F to 103°F or higher. Many women describe feeling chilled or shivery even when they’re bundled up. Shaking chills and sudden temperature swings show your body is reacting to a more serious infection beyond the bladder.
2. Pain in the Back or Side
Kidney infection pain usually settles in your flank. The flank is the area along the side of your lower back under your ribs. It may be described as sharp, achy, or throbbing. It often has a deep, constant ache that doesn’t feel like typical muscle soreness. For many women, it becomes quite sharp or intense on one side. Movements, like twisting or taking a deep breath, can make the pain worse.
3. Nausea or Vomiting
Nausea is common with a kidney infection, and for some women, it can come on suddenly and intensely. Vomiting may follow, especially when your fever is high or your back pain is severe. A kidney infection triggers a strong inflammatory response. This reaction can upset your stomach just as much as it affects your urinary tract. You might notice:
- Sudden waves of nausea that don’t match a typical stomach bug
- Vomiting that becomes harder to control as your fever or pain increases
Repeated vomiting can lead to dehydration, which can make you feel even weaker and worsen your other symptoms. If you can’t keep fluids down, it’s important to get medical care quickly.
4. Frequent or Painful Urination
When the infection reaches the kidney, bladder symptoms usually show up too. Many women feel burning or stinging when they pee, or a strong urge to go, even when only a little urine comes out. Some also notice urgency urinary incontinence, which means leaking a small amount of urine because the urge to go is so strong. Your urine may look cloudy, smell unusually strong, or carry a pink or reddish tint if there’s a little blood mixed in (called hematuria). Some women also need to urinate more often at night. That’s another clue that the infection is irritating the urinary tract.
5. Feeling Extremely Unwell
A kidney infection can make you feel worse than a bladder infection. The symptoms can hit hard and fast, leaving you feeling very tired. You might experience:
- A high fever that comes on suddenly
- Chills or shaking
- Deep, aching pain in your back or side
- Nausea that can make it hard to eat or drink
- A heavy, overwhelming sense of weakness
This level of exhaustion is often a sign that the infection has moved beyond the bladder and that something more serious is going on.
6. Confusion
Kidney infections can affect the whole body. In older adult women, the earliest sign may be a sudden change in thinking or behavior. Instead of obvious symptoms like fever or back pain, confusion or forgetfulness can develop. Mental changes can come on quickly and should be taken seriously. They often signal a more advanced infection.
Don’t Ignore Kidney Infection Symptoms in Women
Kidney infection symptoms in women should never be ignored. A kidney infection won’t get better on its own, and you need antibiotics to treat it. Some women may also need IV fluids or a short hospital stay to keep the infection from getting worse.
If you notice these symptoms, get medical help right away. Quick treatment can protect your kidneys and help you feel better faster.
Call 843.347.2450 to schedule an appointment today.
Our experienced urologists provide UTI care in Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, and Conway, SC.