Hi everyone. I went to the hospital with pain in my right side with slight fever and symptoms of a UTI. (I have had numerous UTI's) They ran blood tests, did a urine test, and took a CT scan of my kidneys. I am allergic to iodine so they did it without the dye. My urine came back clear, showing no infection. But after the results of the blood test came back the P.A. said it was a UTI and gave me a seven day course of bactrim. After I got home I remembered I had a bad reaction to Bactrim years ago and called the P.A. She said since I was allergic to numerous antibiotics to just drink a lot of fluid to flush the bacteria out. Well, I did that and my symptoms have eased a bit but now I am itchy literally all over my body with no sign of rash or dryness. I am on no meds, I haven't used any new soap or eaten any new foods. I was reading that itchy skin with no rash is a sign of kidney failure so now I'm freaking that there's something wrong with my kidney since I was given no antibiotics for this infection. I'm also curious why my urine was clear but the blood work showed infection. I don't have a fever, no nausea or vomiting. I go see my regular Doc tomorrow but the itching is driving me crazy and I am worried about my kidney being affected somehow. Any ideas on any of this?

Thanks so much,
Michele

Several things about UTI and Kidneys. First off don't be to worried about the itching, that happens to people who are in complete kidney failure and you would have many more symptoms that just itching. A UTI is not nessisarily a kidney infection, most of the time it is a simple bladder infection. If the urine came back "clear" it means that there was some bacteria present, which is normal, but not enough to indicate there was an infection. Your blood work may have shown an elevated white blood count which would concern the P.A. considering your past history. If you have a history of UTI's I would consider seeking out a urologist to deterime if there is something that is causing them that is over looked by your primary doctor, or if it could be something else all together. A few things to remember: Unless you have a urine culture with a specific bacteria found be very demanding with your doctor and ask why you are on an antibiotic. Overall kidney function can be monitored with a blood test called creatine. If the level is below about 1.2 kidney function is normal. Everyone should have this test done once a year along with their other blood work. It's usually include, but manytimes the results are overlooked.

I hope this helps.