Renal papillary necrosis: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Go to emergency care if you have:

   • Severe or rapidly worsening flank pain with fever
   • An inability to urinate or a sudden major reduction in urine
   • Heavy bleeding, large blood clots, or difficulty passing urine
   • Confusion, fainting, marked weakness, or difficulty breathing
   • Persistent vomiting that prevents you from keeping fluids down

   These signs may indicate blocked urine flow, a serious infection, heavy bleeding, or acute loss of kidney function.

   Other emergency signs, for anyone

   • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
   • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
   • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
   • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
   • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
   • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
   • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
   • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Arrange prompt medical assessment if you notice blood in your urine, even if it is painless or happens only once.

   Also seek advice for persistent flank pain, repeated urinary infections, painful urination, or possible tissue in the urine.

   These symptoms do not prove papillary necrosis, but they need an explanation.

   Seek urgent same-day care for fever or chills with flank pain, particularly if you have diabetes, a sickle cell condition, reduced immunity, or known urinary blockage.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   And for anyone, someone who:

   • is having side effects from a medicine, or is struggling to take it as prescribed
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Renal papillary necrosis. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.