Covid and kidney stones: what should you know?

Fever, sweating, vomiting, diarrhoea, or drinking less during an infection can lead to dehydration. Concentrated urine may make stone formation more likely in someone who is susceptible, but flank pain or urinary symptoms have other causes. Kidney stones can cause waves of pain in the side or back, pain moving toward the groin, painful urination, blood in urine, nausea, or difficulty passing urine.

COVID-19 symptoms can overlap with these complaints, so location, severity, urine output, fever and the timing of pain matter. A clinician may decide whether urine tests, blood tests or imaging are needed.

If you can drink safely, take frequent fluids and follow the advice given for your infection. Rest and use only pain relief that is suitable for your health and current medicines; a pharmacist can help you choose. Do not force large amounts of fluid if you are vomiting, have been told to restrict fluids, or cannot pass urine. A GP Consultation can help distinguish a stone from infection or another cause, and an Abdominal Ultrasound may be considered.

Seek urgent help for severe or uncontrolled flank or abdominal pain, fever with urinary symptoms, repeated vomiting, confusion, faintness, inability to pass urine, or markedly reduced urine. Prompt assessment is also needed for blood in urine with worsening pain or chills. Do not assume a new severe pain is caused by COVID-19 or a known stone.

Could dehydration, a kidney stone, a urinary infection, or another condition explain this pain? Do I need urine testing or an ultrasound? Which fluids and pain medicines are appropriate for me? What change in urine output should trigger urgent care?