Does kidney infection cause chills?

Chills are a sensation of cold or shaking that can occur when body temperature is rising. With kidney infection, bacteria and inflammation can trigger a whole-body response. You may also notice pain under the ribs or in the back, burning urine, frequent urination, cloudy urine, nausea, or marked tiredness. Chills alone have many possible explanations, so they do not establish the cause without an examination and, commonly, urine testing.

Seek prompt medical advice if chills occur with fever, urinary symptoms, or pain in the side or back. A clinician may test urine and assess whether treatment for a kidney infection is needed. Keep warm, rest, and take fluids in small amounts if you feel sick. If prescribed antibiotics, follow the instructions and report worsening symptoms or a new reaction rather than changing the treatment yourself.

Go to urgent care for confusion, fainting, difficulty breathing, severe weakness, repeated vomiting, severe pain, or shaking chills with a high temperature. Prompt assessment is also important during pregnancy or if you have a urinary blockage, catheter, diabetes, or reduced immune function.

Ask whether your chills fit a kidney infection, which tests are planned, and how quickly you should expect improvement after treatment. Ask how to monitor your temperature and which changes mean you need immediate help.