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Can high fever and chill occur due to kidney stone?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am a 41-year-old woman and started having severe lower back pain and nausea about a week ago. Went to the ER, had a CT scan, diagnosed with a 0.25 inches kidney stone in my right ureter with mild hydronephrosis. I was given Percocet and sent home with instructions to see a urologist. I was not able to get an appointment until yesterday. Two days after my ER visit, I began having severe chills and running fever as high as 101.5. The urologist did a UA yesterday and said I did not have an infection. And also he did a KUB, which showed my stone had not moved at all. He scheduled me for lithotripsy. I continue to have severe chills and fever. I called his office today and he says I probably have flu. Is it possible that I have an infection in my right kidney? Because the stone is blocking the ureter. But, urine I am passing is clear and uninfected.

Please help.

Answered by Dr. Sameer Kumar

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sameer Kumar is a highly qualified Obstetrician and Gynecologist and Infertility specialist with more than two decades of clinical experience. He has completed his postgraduate training in Obstetrics and Gynecology and also specializes in infertility management. Dr. Kumar is dedicated to women’s health, offering expert care in pregnancy, reproductive health, and fertility treatments. His patient-centered approach combines medical expertise with compassionate support to ensure the best outcomes for his patients. Note: If you don't want go opt for IVF and spend lakhs, then you must contact me as i specialize in medical infertility treatment for both male and female. Results have been really encouraging and statistics speak for itself, about 2000 couples helped and avoided IVF.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

High fever and chill are indicative of infection indeed and as we have a cause rightly evident there are chances that you may be developing hydronephrosis (accumulation of urine in swollen kidney) in the right kidney and a secondary infection following stasis of urine (stoppage or reduced flow of urine) in the kidney leading to nephritis.

Though urine culture generally picks up an infection in the bladder, nephritis is more of clinical diagnosis with pain and tenderness in the renal angle and high-grade fever accompanying it.

Ideally, you should be started on prophylactic antibiotics to control the infection sooner before septic features or septicemia may occur. I think you should take a second opinion from another urologist too.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Sneha Kannan
Published At January 30, 2016
Reviewed At May 22, 2026

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sameer Kumar is a highly qualified Obstetrician and Gynecologist and Infertility specialist with more than two decades of clinical experience. He has completed his postgraduate training in Obstetrics and Gynecology and also specializes in infertility management. Dr. Kumar is dedicated to women’s health, offering expert care in pregnancy, reproductive health, and fertility treatments. His patient-centered approach combines medical expertise with compassionate support to ensure the best outcomes for his patients. Note: If you don't want go opt for IVF and spend lakhs, then you must contact me as i specialize in medical infertility treatment for both male and female. Results have been really encouraging and statistics speak for itself, about 2000 couples helped and avoided IVF.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sneha Kannan is a skilled Dental Surgeon with expertise in providing general dental care, including scaling, fillings, and preventive treatments. She does oral surgery procedures such as extractions and minor surgical interventions. She does procedures in restorative dentistry, including crowns, bridges, and dentures. She is an expert in doing endodontic treatments such as root canal therapy. She is well-versed in doing procedures in cosmetic dentistry, including teeth whitening and smile correction. She can provide pediatric dental care for children’s oral health and preventive treatments. She promotes oral hygiene awareness and preventive dental practices.  

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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Kidney stone and fever?

Five quick questions help you understand if your fever and chills with a kidney stone are typical, worth mentioning to your doctor, or need an urgent call.

This tool provides educational information only and does not diagnose, treat, or replace professional medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical guidance.

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sameer Kumar is a highly qualified Obstetrician and Gynecologist and Infertility specialist with more than two decades of clinical experience. He has completed his postgraduate training in Obstetrics and Gynecology and also specializes in infertility management. Dr. Kumar is dedicated to women’s health, offering expert care in pregnancy, reproductive health, and fertility treatments. His patient-centered approach combines medical expertise with compassionate support to ensure the best outcomes for his patients. Note: If you don't want go opt for IVF and spend lakhs, then you must contact me as i specialize in medical infertility treatment for both male and female. Results have been really encouraging and statistics speak for itself, about 2000 couples helped and avoided IVF.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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