RFSymptoms: Safety netting advice
AdultsKidney infection
DATE LAST REVIEWED: 05/11/2026
When to seek further review
- Contact the GP or treating service if symptoms have not started to improve within 48 hours of starting antibiotics.
- Get urgent help sooner for worsening back or side pain, shaking chills, fever, repeated vomiting, much less pee, or inability to keep fluids or medicine down.
- Get urgent assessment if pregnant, immune defences are weakened or there is a known kidney or urinary-tract problem.
- Follow the plan for urine-test results and any further tests. Do not stop prescribed antibiotics early because the pain improves.
- Do not wait for the suggested review time if symptoms become worse, new symptoms appear, or you are worried.
- If you need medical advice and are unsure which service can help, call NHS 111. This includes when your GP is closed or you cannot get the help you need. NHS 111 can direct you to an appropriate local service. You can call even if you are not sure whether symptoms are serious.
When to get emergency help
(Immediately dial 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department)
- New confusion, slurred speech, extreme drowsiness or collapse.
- Severe or rapidly worsening pain with severe illness.
- Severe breathing difficulty or very fast breathing.
- No pee or almost no pee together with marked weakness, faintness or severe illness.
- Cold, clammy or blotchy skin, especially with shaking chills or a racing heartbeat.
- Severe difficulty breathing, such as gasping or being unable to speak normally.
- New confusion or not making sense when speaking.
- Being very difficult to wake.
- Collapse or loss of consciousness.
- Blue, grey, unusually pale or blotchy skin or lips, especially when feeling very unwell.
How to spot sepsis
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection. It can get worse quickly. If someone is seriously unwell and may have sepsis, call 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department. Do not wait for every sign, a high temperature or a rash.
An unwell child under 5 who has not had a pee or wet nappy for 12 hours needs emergency assessment. If you are unsure and there are no emergency signs, call NHS 111 for advice.
Sources
- NHS - Pyelonephritishttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/kidney-infection/
- NICE NG111 - Acute kidney infectionhttps://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng111/chapter/Recommendations
- NHS - Sepsishttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sepsis/
- NHS - When to use NHS 111https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-use-111/