How serious can a kidney infection be?

[MummyDoIt]

Mum has one. Been very poorly since last week. Been on antibiotics since Monday but not getting any better and is being admitted to hospital now. This has me worried, particularly as I live 250 miles away from her and can't get to her in a hurry. How bad can it get?

I had a very serious kidney infection about 6 years ago. I was admitted for IV ABs and to get my temp down since it was so high they were worried I would fit. Sorry, that's not helping you being 250 miles away, is it?

If she is in hospital she will be getting all the treatment she needs and will hopefully be feeling better in a short while. Have you managed to speak to someone on the ward to explain things to you? Is there someone with her who can relay details to you?

Hope your mum is feeling better soon.

Thanks Jaamy. My sister is with her and keeping me informed. Just feel so helpless not being able to get there. I think they're going to put her on IV ABs so hopefully things will turn around soon.

I'm sure you've googled it but, see here

HTH

BTW when I told people I'd had a kidney infection, quite a few said that they had also had one..."isn't the burning when you wee terrible"...they were confusing it with a water/bladder (UTI) infection - not the same thing!

Glad your sister is there to keep your mum company and keep you informed.

I don't know whether age will be a factor with your mum but I was out of the hospital within a week and no lasting damage. She may well get follow up investigations into what has caused it.

Hope she is better soon.

That information is very helpful and reassuring. She started off with a water infection but didn't get it treated quickly enough so it's spread to her kidneys. Hopefully she'll recover quickly with the ABs.

I've had two kidney infections in the last couple of years, both progressed to septicaemia but I was lucky and escaped hospital! The first one I didn't realise quickly enough what it was and the second one was a water infection that I thought had been cured by 3 days of abs but hadn't and couldn't get an emergency doctor to believe me over a weekend!
Both times felt really really ill and lost weight, can make you feel very disorientated as well because of the toxins in your system that the kidneys aren't clearing. But it's really a matter of getting the correct abs and sure that's what your mum will now get. I'm probably your mum's age group and water infections can get to be more of a problem once you're menopausal or after it due to drying out 'down below' . I did go and see an urologist after my second one just to make sure as the infections really do make you feel ghastly. Wishing her well and loads of sympathy.