Treatment for kidney infections - Kidney infection

Treatment for a kidney infection is usually antibiotics that you take at home. But some people may need treatment in hospital.

Medicines

Treatment for a kidney infection includes antibiotics and painkillers.

Antibiotics

Your GP will usually prescribe a course of antibiotics. You take these for 7 to 14 days.

Your GP may prescribe:

• ciprofloxacin
• co-amoxiclav
• trimethoprim

Common side effects of ciprofloxacin include diarrhoea and feeling sick.

Co-amoxiclav can make the contraceptive pill and contraceptive patch less effective. You may need to use another form of contraception during the course of treatment.

If you are pregnant, your GP may prescribe cefalexin. You take this for 14 days.

You can start to feel better soon after you start taking antibiotics. You should feel completely better after about 2 weeks.

Contact your GP if your symptoms do not improve within 24 hours after treatment starts. They may refer you to hospital for treatment.

Painkillers

Paracetamol can help relieve symptoms of pain and a high temperature.

Do not take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs) unless your GP recommends them. For example, ibuprofen. They may increase the risk of further kidney problems.

Things you can try yourself

If you have a kidney infection:

• get plenty of rest - a kidney infection can be draining, even if you're healthy and strong
• sit on the toilet seat when you pee - if you hover over the seat, your bladder cannot fully empty this way
• drink plenty of fluids so your pee is pale, water is best - this helps to flush out the bacteria from your kidneys

If you have kidney failure, ask your doctor how much to drink.

It may take up to 2 weeks before you feel well enough to return to work or school.

When you may need hospital treatment

People more likely to need treatment in hospital include:

• children
• men and people with a male urinary system
• people over age 65

Your GP may also refer you to hospital for treatment if you:

• had 2 or more kidney infections
• are severely dehydrated
• cannot swallow or keep down any fluids or medicines
• have a rapid heartbeat and lose consciousness
• are pregnant and you have a high temperature
• have other health problems, such as diabetes or a weakened immune system
• have something inside your urinary tract, such as a kidney stone or a urinary catheter
• have another kidney problem such as a polycystic kidney disease or chronic kidney disease

Treatment in hospital

Treatment in hospital may include:

• a drip to give you fluids or antibiotics
• blood and pee tests to check your health and if the antibiotics are working

If you get more than one kidney infection, you may have other tests

For example:

• x-ray
• ultrasound scan - uses sound waves to create a picture of your urinary system on a screen
• cystoscopy - a procedure to look inside the bladder using a thin camera

Most people are well enough to leave hospital in 3 to 7 days. You may need to take antibiotics as tablets or capsules after you leave hospital.