How Fast Can a Kidney Infection Kill You?

Kidney infections, called pyelonephritis, are dangerous if not treated quickly. Many people don’t realize how fast an infection can go from being a small problem to a serious emergency. Let’s talk about how a kidney infection can become deadly, how quickly it can happen, and what you can do to protect yourself.

The kidneys are very important because they clean waste from the blood and help keep the body’s insides balanced and healthy. Bacteria often come from a urinary tract infection (UTI). When these bacteria reach the kidneys, the infection can become serious quickly. A kidney infection is not like having a cold—if you don’t treat it, it can lead to sepsis, which is when the infection spreads to the blood and starts affecting other organs. This is why kidney infections are considered medical emergencies that need fast treatment.

When bacteria reach the kidneys, it becomes more complicated than a simple UTI. The bacteria can grow very quickly and damage the kidney tissue. If the infection keeps getting worse, it can lead to kidney failure, which means the kidneys stop working properly. This can cause harmful substances to build up in your body and make you very sick.

A Kidney Infection Can Cause Life-Threatening Problems in Days

When bacteria get into the kidneys, it can take only a few days for things to get very dangerous. Sepsis is one of the biggest risks. Sepsis happens when the body’s response to an infection starts to hurt its own tissues.
According to Dr. Natalia Hapych a certified family medicine physician, if a kidney infection isn’t treated, it can lead to sepsis within 48 to 72 hours, especially for people with weak immune systems.

If sepsis isn’t treated, it can turn into septic shock, which is when blood pressure gets dangerously low, and organs start to stop working. This can be deadly if not treated right away. A kidney infection can lead to septic shock in just a few days. For people with weak immune systems or other health problems, it can happen even faster.

Even if sepsis doesn’t happen, a kidney infection can still cause other serious problems. You can develop kidney abscesses, which are pockets of pus that might need to be drained in the hospital. If the kidneys can’t work properly because of the infection, it can lead to acute kidney injury, which means the kidneys suddenly stop working well. Without treatment, this can turn into a long-term problem and lead to more health issues.

Kidney Infection Symptoms You Should Never Ignore

Knowing the early signs of a kidney infection is very important so you can stop it from getting worse. Look for these symptoms:

• High fever (often above 101°F)
• Chills and shaking
• Lower back or side pain (usually on one side, near the kidneys)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Frequent, painful urination
• Cloudy or bad-smelling urine

Sometimes, you might also feel very tired or have a general feeling of not being well. These symptoms can be mistaken for other problems, but they need to be taken seriously. If you or someone else has these symptoms, see a doctor right away. The faster a kidney infection is treated, the less likely it is to become life-threatening. Waiting just a few days can lead to serious problems.

If these symptoms are ignored, the infection can spread and damage the kidneys even more, causing worse pain, swelling, and even permanent damage. Acting quickly can prevent these serious outcomes and help keep your kidneys healthy.

Who Is Most at Risk of a Fatal Kidney Infection?

Anyone can get a kidney infection, but some people are more at risk of having serious complications:

• Older adults: As people get older, their immune systems get weaker, making it harder for their bodies to fight off infections. Older adults might also show different symptoms, like confusion or weakness, which can make it harder to diagnose the problem.
• People with diabetes: When blood sugar is not well controlled, the immune system gets weaker, making infections more likely. High blood sugar also makes it easier for bacteria to grow, making infections more frequent and harder to treat.
• People with urinary tract problems: Conditions like kidney stones or an enlarged prostate can cause urine to back up into the kidneys, increasing the risk of infection.
• People with weak immune systems: People getting chemotherapy or those with conditions like HIV/AIDS are less able to fight off infections and are more likely to have serious complications from a kidney infection.
• Pregnant women: Pregnancy can increase the risk of kidney infections because hormonal changes and physical pressure can slow down the flow of urine.

For these groups, a kidney infection can become very dangerous quickly, and the risk of deadly complications goes up if not treated right away. Knowing who is at risk can help people be more careful and get medical help quickly if symptoms show up.

Treatment Is Crucial—Don’t Wait

The good news is that kidney infections can be treated well if they are caught early. Most of the time, doctors will prescribe antibiotics, and if the infection is serious, you might need to go to the hospital for IV antibiotics. The Cleveland Clinic says that early treatment usually means taking antibiotics for 14 days. Sometimes, doctors also give medicine to help with the pain.

Delaying treatment can be very dangerous. If the infection spreads to your blood, it can become life-threatening. As mentioned above, untreated kidney infections can lead to sepsis in just a few days. Septic shock can be fatal if not treated quickly. That’s why it’s so important to get medical help as soon as you notice symptoms.

If a kidney infection is caught early, oral antibiotics are often enough. However, more serious infections may require IV fluids and stronger medicine in the hospital. Sometimes, if a kidney stone or other blockage is causing the infection, surgery might be needed to fix the problem. Getting rid of anything blocking the urine flow is very important to prevent more complications.

The key to staying safe is early detection and quick action. Don’t wait to get help because that can make the infection much worse and even put your life in danger. Always take the full course of antibiotics your doctor gives you, even if you start to feel better before the medication is done. This helps make sure all the bacteria are gone and prevents the infection from coming back.

How to Prevent Kidney Infections

The best way to prevent kidney infections is to avoid UTIs, which are infections in the urinary system since they are the most common cause. Here are some ways to help prevent them:

• Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated helps flush out bacteria from the urinary system before they reach the kidneys. Drinking water makes it easier for the body to get rid of bacteria.
• Practice good hygiene: Always wipe from front to back after using the bathroom to keep bacteria from spreading from the rectum to the urethra. Good hygiene is especially important during sexual activity.
• Urinate after sex: This helps get rid of bacteria that may have gotten into the urinary tract. This is especially important for women because their urethra is shorter, making it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder and kidneys.
• Don’t hold your urine: Go to the bathroom when you feel the need. Holding it can let bacteria grow in the bladder, increasing the risk of infection.
• Wear cotton underwear: Cotton helps keep moisture away, which can stop bacteria from growing.
• Avoid irritating products: Products like douches, scented feminine products, or bubble baths can irritate the urethra and increase the risk of infection.