Kidney Stones vs. Flu: Understanding the Symptoms

Flu-like symptoms and kidney pain may be a sign of a burgeoning kidney stone attack. As the body attempts to pass a hard stone through the urinary tract, excruciating discomfort often comes into play.

Identification

• A kidney stone is a collection of excreted substances in the urine that crystallize into a sort of small rock. A kidney stone may be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a pearl, and some are as big as golf balls, according to the University of Virginia Health System.

Time Frame

• Discomfort usually does not develop until the stone begins to pass through the ureter, the tube connecting the kidney and bladder.

Flu Symptoms

• Some symptoms of a kidney stone mimic those of the flu. Fever and chills, nausea and vomiting, and sharp pain in the back or side (usually below the ribs) frequently accompanies the passing of a kidney stone. Pain in the abdomen and groin is also typical.

Features

• Other indications of a passing kidney stone include pain during urination, pink, red or brown urine and a persistent urge to urinate.

Warning

• Extreme pain requires emergency treatment. The Mayo Clinic advises people to seek immediate medical attention if they experience pain so severe that they can't sit still or find a comfortable position.