When to Worry About Blood in Urine With a Kidney Infection

A kidney infection can irritate the urinary tract and cause pink, red, or cola-coloured urine. Burning when urinating, needing to urinate often, pain in the back or side, fever, chills, nausea, and feeling unwell may occur together. Blood can be visible or detected only with a urine test. Other urinary conditions can also cause haematuria, so the symptom needs assessment even when you already know you have an infection.

Contact a clinician promptly so your urine can be tested and treatment reviewed. Take prescribed antibiotics exactly as directed and do not use leftover medicine. Drink fluids as advised for your health; do not force fluids if you have been told to restrict them. Note the urine colour, pain location, temperature, medicines, and whether symptoms are improving.

Go to an emergency service if you cannot keep fluids or medicine down, become confused or unusually drowsy, feel faint, have severe or rapidly worsening pain, pass clots, cannot urinate, or develop shaking chills or a high fever. Pregnancy, one functioning kidney, kidney disease, diabetes, or a weakened immune system lowers the threshold for same-day medical advice.

Ask whether the urine needs culture, whether the blood could have another cause, how soon improvement should begin, and which symptoms mean your treatment needs changing. Mention any anticoagulants, kidney problems, pregnancy, allergies, or previous resistant infections.