A ureteral stent infection refers to a urinary infection occurring in a person who has a temporary or long-term stent placed inside the ureter.

A ureteral stent is a thin tube that helps maintain urine drainage from the kidney to the bladder. It may be placed after treatment for a kidney stone, urinary obstruction, ureteral narrowing, surgery or another condition affecting urine flow.

Having a stent does not mean that infection will definitely occur. However, bacteria can be associated with urinary devices, and stent-related symptoms can sometimes resemble a urinary tract infection.

This distinction is important because burning urination, urinary frequency, mild blood in urine and some discomfort can occur from the stent itself without an infection. Urine testing is therefore often needed when infection is suspected.

At Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic, Dr. Sandip Prabhakar Bhurke, super specialist nephrologist and transplant physician, provides kidney-focused evaluation for patients with urinary infections, abnormal kidney function and complications associated with urinary tract conditions.

What Are the Symptoms of an Infected Ureteral Stent?

Possible symptoms include:

• Fever

• Chills or shivering

• Burning or pain while passing urine

• Increasing pain in the kidney or flank area

• Lower abdominal or bladder discomfort

• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine

• Feeling unusually unwell

• Nausea or vomiting

• Increased urinary urgency

• Increased urinary frequency

• Blood in urine

• Reduced urine output in complicated cases

Fever, worsening flank pain and feeling systemically unwell are particularly important warning signs. Hospital guidance also notes that stent-related urinary symptoms can mimic infection, making urine testing important.

Stent Symptoms Versus Infection: Why the Difference Matters

A ureteral stent can cause symptoms even when there is no infection.

Common stent-related symptoms can include:

• Urinary frequency

• Urgency

• Burning during urination

• Blood in the urine

• Bladder discomfort

• Flank discomfort

• Pain that becomes noticeable during urination

These symptoms may be caused by mechanical irritation from the stent.

On the other hand, infection may produce additional findings such as fever, chills, worsening pain, feeling unwell or laboratory evidence of infection.

Because the symptoms overlap, do not assume that every burning sensation or urinary frequency means you need antibiotics. A clinician may recommend urine testing and, depending on the situation, blood tests or imaging.

Why Can an Infection Develop With a Ureteral Stent?

A stent is a foreign device positioned within the urinary tract.

Several factors can increase the possibility of urinary infection or other stent-related complications, including:

• Prolonged stent duration

• Previous urinary infection

• Urinary obstruction

• Kidney stones

• Incomplete urine drainage

• Multiple urinary procedures

• Diabetes

• Reduced immunity

• Abnormal urinary tract anatomy

• Encrustation or blockage of the stent

Long-term stents require planned follow-up because prolonged indwelling time can increase risks such as infection and encrustation.

The risk is not identical for every patient, so the timing of removal or exchange should be determined by the treating team.

How Is a Ureteral Stent Infection Diagnosed?

Diagnosis usually starts with assessing the patient's symptoms and determining whether the symptoms could simply be caused by the stent.

Urinalysis

A urine examination can look for findings associated with urinary infection, including white blood cells, blood and other abnormalities.

However, blood or inflammatory cells in urine can also occur from irritation caused by an indwelling stent.

Urine Culture

A urine culture can identify bacteria and help determine which antibiotics are likely to work.

Culture results are particularly important when infection is suspected because antibiotic selection should take into account the organism and its susceptibility.

Clinical guidance for patients with suspected stent-related infection recommends urine testing rather than relying only on symptoms.

Blood Tests

If a patient has fever, significant pain or systemic symptoms, doctors may order:

• Complete blood count

• Creatinine

• eGFR

• Electrolytes

• Inflammatory markers

• Blood cultures when systemic infection or sepsis is suspected

Blood cultures may be particularly important in patients with high fever or signs of systemic infection.

Imaging

Ultrasound, CT or other imaging may be considered when doctors need to determine whether:

• The kidney is swollen

• Urine drainage is impaired

• The stent is blocked or displaced

• A stone remains

• Another obstruction is present

Persistent flank pain or suspected sepsis may require assessment of stent position and urinary drainage.

What Antibiotics Are Used for Ureteral Stent Infection?

Antibiotics may be required when a bacterial urinary infection is diagnosed or strongly suspected, but there is no single antibiotic that is appropriate for every stent infection.

The choice depends on factors such as:

• Urine culture results

• Local antibiotic resistance

• Allergy history

• Kidney function

• Severity of infection

• Previous infections

• Previous antibiotic exposure

• Other medicines

• Whether the patient has obstruction or sepsis

Antibiotic treatment should therefore be prescribed by a healthcare professional.

Current European guidance emphasizes obtaining urine cultures and adjusting antimicrobial treatment according to culture and susceptibility results in serious urinary infections.

Should You Take Antibiotics Without a Urine Test?

Not necessarily.

In a person with a ureteral stent, urinary symptoms can be caused by the device itself, while bacteria may also be present without causing symptomatic infection.

The treating clinician decides whether antibiotics are appropriate based on symptoms, examination and test results.

Taking leftover antibiotics or using an antibiotic without medical advice can lead to inappropriate treatment and contribute to antibiotic resistance.

If the patient has fever, chills, severe flank pain or other signs of a serious infection, medical assessment should not be delayed while waiting to self-treat at home.

Can a Ureteral Stent Infection Be Treated Without Removing the Stent?

Sometimes the infection can initially be treated with antibiotics while the stent remains in place, depending on why the stent was inserted and whether it is functioning correctly.

However, antibiotics alone may not be sufficient when there is persistent obstruction, a blocked or malfunctioning stent, severe infection or another source-control problem.

The treating urologist may need to determine whether the stent should be:

• Left temporarily in place

• Removed

• Replaced

• Exchanged

• Supplemented by another method of urinary drainage

The decision depends on the patient's clinical condition and the reason the stent was originally placed.

When Does an Infected Stent Become an Emergency?

A urinary infection can become particularly dangerous when urine drainage from the kidney is obstructed.

An infected obstructed urinary system can lead to severe infection and sepsis.

Urgent medical attention is warranted for symptoms such as:

• High fever

• Chills or shaking

• Severe flank pain

• Very low or absent urine output

• Persistent vomiting

• Confusion

• Severe weakness

• Rapid deterioration

• Low blood pressure or fainting

• Difficulty breathing

When an obstructed urinary system is infected, the priority is urgent drainage of the collecting system together with immediate antimicrobial treatment. EAU guidance recommends urgent decompression using a ureteral stent or percutaneous nephrostomy in patients with sepsis caused by an obstructing stone, with definitive stone treatment delayed until the infection has resolved.

What Happens If the Ureteral Stent Is Blocked?

A blocked stent may prevent adequate urine drainage from the kidney.

Possible consequences include:

• Increasing flank pain

• Hydronephrosis

• Infection

• Worsening kidney function

• Fever

• Reduced urine output

If obstruction is suspected, imaging may be required to evaluate the urinary tract and stent.

Treatment may involve restoring drainage through stent exchange, another drainage procedure or treatment of the underlying obstruction.

This is particularly urgent when infection is present.

Can a Kidney Stone Cause Infection Around a Stent?

Yes.

Ureteral stents are commonly placed in patients being treated for kidney or ureteral stones.

If a stone continues to obstruct urine flow, bacteria can multiply behind the obstruction, increasing the risk of a serious urinary infection.

For patients with infected obstructing stones, EAU guidance recommends immediate antibiotics and urgent drainage, while definitive stone removal is delayed until the infection has been controlled.

Does a Ureteral Stent Need to Be Removed After Infection Treatment?

The answer depends on why the stent was inserted.

A stent placed temporarily after a procedure may be removed once it has completed its intended purpose.

A long-term stent used to maintain drainage because of persistent obstruction may need scheduled exchanges rather than permanent removal.

The timing should be determined by the treating urologist.

Patients should keep a clear record of the planned stent removal or exchange date. Long-term stents should not simply be left in place indefinitely because prolonged dwell time can increase complications such as infection and encrustation.

What Is Ureteral Stent Exchange?

A stent exchange means removing the existing stent and placing a new one when continued drainage is required.

Exchange may be considered when:

• The stent has reached its planned duration

• The stent is blocked

• Encrustation has developed

• Infection is associated with a malfunctioning stent

• The original obstruction is still present

• Long-term drainage is required

The procedure used for exchange depends on the patient's anatomy, stent type and underlying condition.

Can a Stent Infection Affect Kidney Function?

It can, particularly when infection occurs together with obstruction or severe systemic illness.

A kidney infection can impair overall health, while obstruction can interfere with urine drainage and potentially increase pressure within the urinary tract.

People who already have chronic kidney disease require particular attention because an acute infection or obstruction can cause an additional decline in kidney function.

Doctors may therefore monitor:

• Creatinine

• eGFR

• Urine output

• Electrolytes

• Blood pressure

• Hydration status

What If Creatinine Rises During a Stent Infection?

A rise in creatinine requires evaluation rather than being automatically attributed to the stent.

Possible contributors include:

• Infection

• Dehydration

• Urinary obstruction

• Medication effects

• Acute kidney injury

• Pre-existing chronic kidney disease

If infection and obstruction occur together, restoring urine drainage and treating the infection are important components of urgent care.

The degree of kidney-function recovery depends on the cause, duration and severity of the injury.

Can You Prevent Infection While a Ureteral Stent Is Present?

There is no method that completely eliminates infection risk.

Helpful measures include:

• Follow the planned stent removal or exchange schedule.

• Attend follow-up appointments.

• Take prescribed medicines exactly as directed.

• Report fever or worsening urinary symptoms promptly.

• Do not ignore severe flank pain.

• Follow individualized fluid advice from your healthcare team.

• Avoid taking unprescribed antibiotics.

• Inform your doctor about diabetes or other conditions that may affect infection risk.

Fluid recommendations should be individualized, particularly for people with CKD, heart disease or fluid restrictions.

How Long Can a Ureteral Stent Stay In?

There is no single duration that applies to every stent.

Some stents are intended for short-term use after procedures, while others are used for longer periods when an obstruction cannot immediately be corrected.

The appropriate duration depends on:

• Reason for insertion

• Stent material and design

• Patient anatomy

• Presence of stones

• Infection risk

• Degree of obstruction

• Planned definitive treatment

The patient should know the intended removal or exchange plan.

A hospital patient-information resource specifically advises patients to confirm arrangements for removal or exchange and warns that prolonged stent placement can increase the risk of infection and encrustation.

What Should You Do if You Have a Stent and Develop Fever?

Do not assume that the fever is simply a normal stent symptom.

Fever after stent placement or during the period in which a stent remains inside the urinary tract should be medically assessed, particularly when accompanied by:

• Chills

• Flank pain

• Burning urination

• Vomiting

• Weakness

• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine

• Reduced urine output

A healthcare professional may recommend urine culture, blood tests and imaging depending on the presentation.

If there is evidence of sepsis with urinary obstruction, urgent drainage and antibiotic treatment are required.

Can a Ureteral Stent Infection Be Prevented With Regular Antibiotics?

Routine long-term antibiotic use is not appropriate for every person with a ureteral stent.

Antibiotics should be used for a specific clinical indication and selected according to the patient's condition and antimicrobial guidance.

Unnecessary antibiotic exposure can contribute to resistant bacteria and medication-related side effects.

The better approach is appropriate stent follow-up, timely management of obstruction and infection, and culture-directed treatment when infection occurs.

Ureteral Stent Infection Treatment at Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic

At Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic, Dr. Sandip Prabhakar Bhurke, super specialist nephrologist and transplant physician, provides kidney-focused assessment for patients with urinary infections, abnormal kidney function and complications that may affect the kidneys.

Depending on the clinical situation, evaluation may include:

• Review of ureteral stent history

• Assessment of fever and urinary symptoms

• Kidney-function testing

• Creatinine and eGFR monitoring

• Urine examination

• Urine culture

• Electrolyte assessment

• Evaluation of urinary obstruction

• Review of ultrasound or CT findings

• Assessment of acute kidney injury

• Coordination with urological specialists when stent removal, exchange or urinary drainage is required

Because ureteral stent placement and exchange are urological procedures, patients may require coordinated care between nephrology and urology depending on the underlying problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the treatment for an infected ureteral stent?

Treatment depends on the severity and cause. It may include culture-guided antibiotics, assessment of urinary drainage and, when necessary, stent removal, exchange or another drainage procedure.

What are the signs of an infected ureteral stent?

Fever, chills, worsening flank pain, burning urination, feeling unwell, nausea or vomiting and changes in urine can occur. However, some urinary symptoms are also normal stent-related effects, so testing may be necessary.

Can a ureteral stent cause a UTI?

A ureteral stent can be associated with urinary symptoms and infection risk. Not every urinary symptom while a stent is present means that a UTI has developed.

Do I need antibiotics for a ureteral stent?

Not automatically. Antibiotics should be used when clinically indicated and selected according to the suspected or confirmed infection and the patient's medical circumstances.

Should an infected ureteral stent be removed?

Not always. The decision depends on why the stent is present, whether it is functioning, the severity of infection and whether continued drainage is required. A urologist may recommend removal or exchange in selected situations.

Can an infected ureteral stent cause kidney damage?

A serious infection, especially when combined with urinary obstruction, can contribute to acute kidney injury. Prompt treatment is important.

What happens if a ureteral stent is left too long?

The risk of complications such as infection and encrustation can increase with prolonged indwelling time. Patients should follow the planned removal or exchange schedule.

Can stent pain be mistaken for infection?

Yes. Urinary frequency, burning, blood in urine and flank discomfort can occur because of the stent itself. Fever or systemic illness is more concerning for infection, but medical assessment and urine testing may be needed to distinguish the two.

Conclusion

Ureteral stent infection treatment requires more than simply taking a painkiller or starting an antibiotic without evaluation.

A ureteral stent can naturally cause urinary frequency, burning, blood in urine and discomfort, but fever, chills, worsening flank pain and systemic illness may indicate infection.

Evaluation may involve urinalysis, urine culture, blood tests, kidney-function assessment and imaging when obstruction or stent malfunction is suspected. Antibiotics should be selected according to the clinical situation and, when available, culture results.

If infection occurs together with urinary obstruction, the situation can become an emergency. Urgent drainage of the urinary system and antimicrobial treatment may be required, while definitive treatment of an obstructing stone is generally delayed until the infection has been controlled.

For kidney-function assessment and specialist management of complications associated with urinary infections or obstruction, consult Dr. Sandip Prabhakar Bhurke at Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic.

Medical Disclaimer

This article is intended for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for medical diagnosis, treatment or individualized medical advice. Ureteral stent symptoms can resemble urinary infection, and proper evaluation may require urine testing, culture, blood tests and imaging. Antibiotic selection and duration depend on the infection, culture results, kidney function, allergies, other medicines and clinical severity. Do not take leftover antibiotics or remove a ureteral stent yourself. Fever, chills, severe flank pain, confusion, very little or no urine, persistent vomiting, fainting or rapidly worsening symptoms may indicate a serious infection or obstructed urinary system requiring urgent medical attention. Consult Dr. Sandip Prabhakar Bhurke, a qualified urologist, or another appropriate healthcare professional for individualized treatment.