Symptoms of a kidney infection are usually very unpleasant, but the condition can clear up at home with antibiotic tablets. The course of treatment is typically two weeks. It's important to take the whole course of medication even if you feel better, as stopping early can increase your risk of the infection returning and may also lead to antibiotic resistance.
Before confirming your diagnosis, your doctor will want to know the symptoms you've been having and when they started. They may then advise further tests to help determine what's causing your kidney infection. This could include a urinalysis (testing the urine for bacteria and white blood cells) or a urinary tract culture. A blood sample will also be taken to check your immune system. Your doctor might also use an ultrasound or a CT scan or a type of X-ray called a voiding cystourethrogram, which uses contrast dye to see how your bladder and urethra behave when they're full and emptying.
Your GP will likely recommend you go to the hospital to treat the kidney infection, especially if your symptoms get worse, or if you have a high temperature (fever), sweating or shivering, becoming very pale or breathless, or any other signs of a more serious problem, such as sepsis (blood poisoning). During this time, you may be given fluids via drip in a vein (intravenous, or IV) or antibiotics by mouth. You should also drink plenty of fluid to avoid getting dehydrated. Try drinking water, fruit juices and yoghurts, rather than tea and coffee, as these can be hard on the kidneys.