{"id":165,"date":"2020-02-19T16:16:06","date_gmt":"2020-02-19T16:16:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/healthissues24.co.za\/?p=165"},"modified":"2020-02-19T16:16:06","modified_gmt":"2020-02-19T16:16:06","slug":"should-i-go-to-work-with-a-kidney-infection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unionline24.co.za\/health\/should-i-go-to-work-with-a-kidney-infection\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I go to work with a kidney infection?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Make sure you get plenty of rest. A\u00a0kidney infection can<\/strong>\u00a0be physically draining, even if you’re normally healthy and strong. It may take up to 2 weeks before you’re fit enough to return to\u00a0work<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most people with a kidney infection can be treated at home with a course of antibiotics, and paracetamol if needed.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

See your GP if you feel feverish and have pain in your tummy, lower back or genitals that won’t go away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should also see a GP if you have\u00a0symptoms of a UTI\u00a0that haven’t improved after a few days or if you have\u00a0blood in your pee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you think your child has a UTI, even if it’s just cystitis, make sure you see a GP or go to an out-of-hours emergency service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medication<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Antibiotics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you’re being treated at home, you’ll usually be prescribed a course of antibiotic tablets or capsules that lasts between 7 and 14 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Usually, you’ll start to feel better quite soon after treatment starts and should feel completely better after about 2 weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your symptoms show no sign of improvement 24 hours after treatment starts, contact your GP for advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Painkillers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Taking a painkiller should help relieve symptoms of pain and a high temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However,\u00a0anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs) aren’t normally recommended for a kidney infection \u2013 they may increase the risk of further kidney problems so shouldn’t be taken unless advised by a doctor. A doctor may only prescribe these in certain circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Things you can try yourself<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you have a kidney infection, try not to “hover” over the toilet seat when you go to the loo because it can result in your bladder not being fully emptied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s also important for most people with a kidney infection to drink plenty of fluids (water is best) because this will help to flush out the bacteria from your kidneys. Aim to drink enough so that you’re frequently passing pale-coloured urine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have kidney failure, get advice from your doctor on how much to drink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure you get plenty of rest. A kidney infection can be physically draining, even if you’re normally healthy and strong. It may take up to 2 weeks before you’re fit enough to return to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treatment at hospital<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your GP may refer you to hospital if you have an underlying problem that makes you vulnerable to kidney infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s standard practice to further investigate all men with a kidney infection simply because the condition is much rarer in men. Women don’t tend to be referred unless they’ve had 2 or more kidney infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most children with a kidney infection will be treated in hospital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hospital treatment may also be needed if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n