Jun 16, 2026

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) vs Kidney Stone: Are They the Same?

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) vs Kidney Stone: Are They the Same?

Have you been experiencing sharp pain in your back or the side of the abdomen?
It could be both UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) or a kidney stone.

Now the confusing area is that the pain sensation of both of them is the same.
This is why most of you are overwhelmed in the discussion of UTI vs Kidney Stone.
Many like you do not have a clear idea of the difference. However, if you are one of them, you are in the right place. 

This blog discusses the difference between UTI and Kidney stones. So stay with us.

UTI or Kidney Stone: Case Study

Here is a published case study where doctors were in two minds whether the patient was suffering from UTI or a kidney stone.
A young woman (38 years) reached the emergency department complaining of frequent urination, chills, fever, and lower back pain. 

Initially, the doctor took it to be symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) and started the treatment with antibiotics. But the pain did not subside, but shifted to one side of her flank.

Thereafter, the professionals did a CT scan. It was revealed that ureteric stones were blocking the flow of urine from the kidney.
Finally, the professionals came to the diagnosis that she was suffering from a kidney stone. It requires urgent intervention.

UTI vs Kidney Stone: Symptoms

Let's first take a look at the symptoms of both Urinary infections and Kidney stones to understand the major difference between the two. First, start with the symptoms of UTI or Urine infection symptoms.

• Firstly, you may feel pressure in the lower part of your pelvis.

• You may also experience pain in your lower abdomen, lower back, and pelvic area.

• Burning sensation while urinating.

• When you pee, you will encounter a foul smell. 

• You may also experience pressure and pain while urinating (lower abdominal pain).

• Next, you may see blood in your pee.

Apart from these, some other major symptoms of UTI include urge incontinence and urinary incontinence, feeling extremely fatigued, fever, and chills.

Now let's take a look at the most common symptoms of Kidney stones:

• If there is a kidney stone, you may have bloody pee.
  Just like UTI, in this case, you may also experience pain while you are urinating.

• Frequent urge to urinate.

• Fever.

• Foul-smelling urine.

If you experience any pain or the common symptoms we mentioned above, see the best Urologist in Birati. Leave it to professionals rather than wasting time and aggravating your situation.

Causes of UTI and Kidney Stones

Now, let's understand the causes of kidney stones and UTI. First, we are starting with the causes of urinary tract infection.

• When the kidney stones trap urine, giving the bacteria a place to grow, it may cause UTI.

• UTIs may be caused by medical tubes that introduce bacteria into the urinary bladder.

• Even if you have poor cleaning habits, you may suffer from UTI.

Now let's take a look at the causes of kidney stones.

• Kidney stones may develop if you drink too little water.

• If you are used to taking salt and sugar in excess, it may end up causing kidney stones.

• Next, if you suffer from chronic conditions like Crohn’s disease, you may suffer from kidney stones. These are the common causes of kidney stones.