Symptoms
Very small kidney stones are unlikely to cause many symptoms. They may even go undetected and pass out painlessly when you pee.
Larger kidney stones can cause symptoms, including:
- pain in the side of your tummy (abdomen) or groin – men may have pain in their testicles
- a high temperature, or feeling hot, cold or shivery
- feeling sweaty
- severe pain that comes and goes
- feeling sick or vomiting
- blood in your urine
- urine infection
Blocked ureter and kidney infection
A kidney stone that blocks the ureter, the tube that connects your kidney to your bladder, can cause a kidney infection.
This is because waste products are unable to pass the blockage, which may cause a build-up of bacteria.
The symptoms of a kidney infection are similar to symptoms of kidney stones, but may also include:
- a high temperature
- feeling hot, cold or shivery
- feeling very weak or tired
- cloudy and bad-smelling urine
Last Reviewed
25 November 2025
25 November 2025
