How to Tell Kidney Infection Symptoms from Bladder Infection Symptoms

The urinary tract systems of some people are prone to infection. The bladder, the kidneys, the urethra are all parts of the urinary tract system and can all fall victim to infection. Since the symptoms are similar between bladder infections, sometimes referred to as UTIs, and kidney infections, occasionally the two are misdiagnosed. Typically kidney infections are mistook for simple bladder infections that can lead to dangerous, even fatal, complications.

One of the major reasons for the confusion is that kidney infections are usually caused by untreated or under-treated bladder infections. Under-treatment can occur when the treatment used for the infection does not completely kill the bacteria. Kidney infections, if left untreated, can cause kidney failure, blood poisoning, and premature labor in the case of pregnant women. This is why it is very important to know the difference between kidney infection symptoms and the less severe symptoms of a bladder infection.

Bladder infections are relatively harmless unless they turn into kidney infections. The symptoms of a bladder infection include burning while urinating, possible traces of blood in the urine, a feeling of needing to urinate frequently or urgently, and cloudy foul-smelling urine. Doctors will usually prescribe an anti-biotic to get rid of the bladder infection. It is important to take all of the doses suggested by the doctor. Not finishing the anti-biotic may lead to under-treatment and reoccurrence of the bladder infection.