What does chills feel like with kidney infection?

A kidney infection can trigger a strong whole-body response, making you shiver or feel intensely cold while your temperature rises. Chills may come in waves, with sweating later as the fever changes. Pain in the side or back, fever, nausea, vomiting, burning when passing urine, frequent urination or cloudy urine may occur as well.

Chills alone cannot establish that a kidney infection is present. A bladder infection, another infection or a non-infectious cause may produce similar symptoms. A clinician may use your history, examination and urine testing to decide what care is needed.

Arrange prompt medical assessment if chills occur with fever, side or back pain, or urinary symptoms. Drink fluids if you can keep them down, rest and note the timing of fever, pain, urine changes and vomiting. Do not use leftover antibiotics or share medicine; the appropriate treatment depends on the cause and your health history. Tell the clinician if you are pregnant, have kidney problems or have recently taken antibiotics.

Seek urgent care for confusion, fainting, severe weakness, repeated vomiting, inability to keep fluids down, severe pain, very little urine or difficulty breathing. A pregnant person, child, older adult or person with reduced immunity should seek medical advice promptly when these symptoms appear. Rapid deterioration needs immediate help.

Could this be a kidney infection or another cause? Do I need a urine test? Which treatment should I take and for how long? How should I manage fluids? What changes mean I need urgent reassessment?