My daughter was diagnosed yesterday with a kidney infection . She was also complaining of her left lower rib hurting and does appear a little swollen in that area. Shes been on antibiotics over 24 hours and is still complaining of burning pain when she uses the bathroom. I m taking her back to the doctors. Does she need a x ray? What could be causing the rib pain?
Hi, I would suggest it's urgent for her to do a chest X-ray (and abdominal ultrasound). This shall bring out the clear distinction between a kidney infection and a lung infection. She shall also need to do blood tests. A complete blood count shall give indications of a bacterial infection and the intensity.  An urinalysis in search of nitrites and leukocytes is necessary to suggest a urinary tract infection. A urine culture and sensitivity tests shall then be important in deciding on the appropriate anti-biotic to be used and the duration of use. Doing an abdominal ultrasound could be important in eliminating other causes of abdominal pain that could present themselves in the same way. However, this shall depend on a critical physical examination by a physician, and based on his clinical judgement, he shall then decide to ask the tests or not. I would suggest you visit your family physician for a chest X-ray and or other blood tests and an abdominal ultrasound to get done. Thanks and best regards, Lucuo, MD.