Symptoms Of Infection After Kidney Stone Surgery: What To Know 2023
Reviewed by Dr. Victor Nguyen, Former Medical Writer & Reviewer
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Are you aware of the potential risks and symptoms of infection following kidney stone surgery? Knowing what to watch out for is crucial for a smooth recovery if you’ve recently undergone this procedure. Read this article to learn how long kidney stone pain lasts.
In this article, we’ll explore signs of infection after kidney stone surgery, how urinary tract issues can arise, and how to ensure timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Don’t let complications hinder your recovery – stay informed and proactive to safeguard your health and well-being. Let’s dive in!
Common Symptoms Of Infection After Kidney Stone Surgery
Common symptoms of infection after kidney stone surgery include:
- Fever, chills.
- Increased pain or discomfort at the surgical site.
- Redness.
- Swelling.
- Warmth.
- Drainage.
Severe symptoms should also be taken seriously, such as:
- Severe back or abdominal pain.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Fatigue.
- Confusion.
If any of these symptoms are present, seeking medical attention promptly to diagnose and treat any potential infection is important.
Infection Symptoms Following Kidney Stone Surgery
Following kidney stone surgery, individuals can experience symptoms of infection. While surgical procedures are generally conducted with sterile techniques to minimize the risk of infection, it can still occur in some cases.
Infection symptoms may vary depending on the specific type and location of the infection. Common signs to watch for include fever, chills, increased pain or discomfort, redness, swelling, warmth, or blood or thick clumps at the surgical site. Severe symptoms[1] like back pain, confusion, nausea, vomiting, urinary retention, and fatigue may also occur.
Urinary Tract Infections
After undergoing kidney stone surgery, it is important to be aware of the potential infection symptoms that may arise. Urinary tract infections, or UTIs,[2] are one common concern following these procedures. Infectious complications such as UTIs can occur due to stone fragments[3] or bacteria entering the urinary system during surgery.
Symptoms of UTIs may include frequent urination, urgency, pain or burning during urination, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, and even blood in the urine. However, it is worth noting that different kidney stones, such as uric acid or cystine stones, may require further surgical approaches or shock wave lithotripsy.
Infections can occur at the incision site[4] or within the urinary tract, including the bladder, ureters, or kidneys. Bacteria entering the urinary tract during or after the surgery can lead to a urinary tract infection.
Kidney Infections
In some cases, more severe urinary infections, such as kidney infections or sepsis,[5] can develop. These may present with additional symptoms like severe back pain, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, or confusion.
By being vigilant for any signs of infection and seeking prompt medical attention, individuals can ensure timely management of any potential post-surgical complications, promoting a successful recovery.
When To Seek Medical Attention
If you have recently undergone kidney stone surgery and are experiencing symptoms of infection, you should seek medical attention promptly. Contact your healthcare provider if you notice any signs of infection.
If you experience symptoms related to the urinary tract, reach out to your healthcare provider. These symptoms could suggest signs of a urinary tract infection or a possible kidney infection.
Severe back or abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, or confusion should also prompt immediate medical attention, which may indicate a more serious infection or complication.
If an infection is suspected, healthcare providers may order diagnostic tests, such as urine cultures or blood tests, to identify the presence of bacteria or signs of inflammation. Treatment typically involves antibiotics to target the specific bacteria causing the infection. Additionally, adequate hydration and good hygiene practices are essential to prevent further complications.
It is crucial to follow the post-operative instructions provided by the healthcare team and attend follow-up appointments as scheduled to avoid kidney stone surgery complications. Supplements can also be useful in preventing kidney stones’ future development; check out apple cider vinegar for kidney stones here!
Seeking medical assistance allows for timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment, reducing the risk of kidney stone surgery complications and promoting a smooth recovery from kidney stone surgery. Supplements can also be beneficial to prevent the development of future kidney stones; check out Goli Gummies reviews now!
Conclusion
In conclusion, being aware of the common symptoms of infection after kidney stone surgery is vital for a successful recovery. Promptly seeking help from healthcare providers can lead to timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment, reducing the risk of kidney stone surgery complications and ensuring a smooth recovery.
By remaining vigilant and proactive, individuals can take necessary steps to safeguard their health and well-being after undergoing kidney stone surgery. Preventing the development of new kidney stones is also important.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common symptoms include[6] fever, chills, increased pain, redness, swelling, warmth, and drainage at the surgical site.
Severe symptoms may indicate infection complications and require immediate medical attention to prevent further complications.
Potential issues may include frequent urination, burning sensations, foul-smelling urine, and blood in the urine.
UTIs can occur due to stone fragments or bacteria entering the urinary system during surgery.
By promptly seeking medical attention for any symptoms of infection, following post-operative instructions, and attending follow-up appointments, individuals can manage potential complications and promote a smooth recovery.
+ 5 sources
MIDSS adheres to strict procurement guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutes, and medical associations. We work mainly with peer-reviewed studies to ensure the accuracy of the information. We avoid the use of tertiary references. You can read about how we ensure the accuracy and timeliness of our content in our editorial process.
- LWW. (2023). My patient may have a UTI—what next? : Nursing2023. [online] Available at: https://journals.lww.com/nursing/citation/2002/10000/my_patient_may_have_a_uti_what_next_.9.aspx .
- Ripa, F., Pietropaolo, A., Montanari, E., Hameed, Z., Vineet Gauhar and Somani, B.K. (2022). Association of Kidney Stones and Recurrent UTIs: the Chicken and Egg Situation. A Systematic Review of Literature. Current Urology Reports, [online] 23(9), pp.165–174. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-022-01103-y.
- Ripa, F., Massella, V., Ong, A., Mriganka Mani Sinha, Pietropaolo, A. and Somani, B.K. (2023). Role of Ureteroscopy (URS) and Stone Treatment in Patients with Recurrent UTIs: Outcomes over a 10-Year Period. Journal of Clinical Medicine, [online] 12(10), pp.3591–3591. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12103591.
- Dragos Puia, Ştefan Gheorghincă, George Daniel Radavoi, Viorel Jinga and Catalin Pricop (2023). Can we identify the risk factors for SIRS/sepsis after percutaneous nephrolithotomy? A meta‑analysis and literature review. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, [online] 25(3). doi:https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2023.11809.
- Ziemba, J. and Matlaga, B.R. (2015). Guideline of guidelines: kidney stones. BJUI, [online] 116(2), pp.184–189. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/bju.13080.
