Red Flags & When to Go In Person for Kidney Stone (Suspected) - Triage

Audience: adult

Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in the kidneys and can cause severe pain when they move through the urinary tract. If you suspect a kidney stone, telemedicine can help you understand your symptoms and guide you on next steps. However, some signs mean you should seek in-person medical care promptly. These include severe pain that does not improve, fever with chills, difficulty urinating, or blood in your urine. Telemedicine visits can help assess your symptoms, provide advice on pain management, and discuss hydration strategies. But they cannot perform imaging tests or emergency treatments. Knowing when to get urgent care can prevent complications like infections or kidney damage. This guide helps you recognize red flags, prepare for telehealth visits, and understand follow-up care. Remember, telemedicine is a helpful tool but not a substitute for emergency or in-person evaluation when needed.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Severe pain not relieved by medications — seek emergency care immediately
• Fever above 38°C (100.4°F) with chills — possible infection needing urgent evaluation
• Inability to urinate or severe difficulty urinating — urgent medical attention required

What telemedicine can do

• Symptom assessment and history taking
• Advice on hydration and pain management
• Determining urgency of symptoms
• Providing education and follow-up recommendations

What telemedicine cannot do

• Physical examination and imaging tests
• Emergency interventions or surgeries
• Laboratory testing such as urine or blood tests
• Management of severe complications like infection or urinary obstruction

What is a Kidney Stone?

Kidney stones are small, hard mineral deposits that form inside your kidneys. They can cause sharp pain, usually in your side or back, and may move into the urinary tract. Passing a stone can be painful but often does not require surgery.

Common Symptoms of Kidney Stones

Typical symptoms include:

If you have these symptoms, telemedicine can help evaluate your condition.

Red Flags: When to Seek In-Person Care

Certain signs require urgent medical attention:

If you experience these, go to an emergency room or urgent care center immediately.

What Telemedicine Can Do for Suspected Kidney Stones

Through a telemedicine visit, a healthcare provider can:

This helps you get timely guidance without leaving home.

What Telemedicine Cannot Do

Telemedicine cannot:

In these cases, in-person care is essential.

Preparing for Your Telemedicine Visit

Before your tele-visit:

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Write down when your symptoms began and how they have changed
• List all medications you are currently taking
• Prepare to describe your pain location, intensity, and type
• Ensure you have a thermometer to check your temperature
• Find a quiet, private place with good internet connection for the tele-visit

After your tele-visit

• Follow the healthcare provider’s advice on pain relief and hydration
• Monitor your symptoms closely for any worsening or new red flags
• Schedule any recommended follow-up tests or in-person visits
• Seek immediate care if red flag symptoms develop after the tele-visit
• Keep a record of your symptoms and any treatments used

FAQs

Can telemedicine diagnose a kidney stone?

Telemedicine can help assess your symptoms and guide you, but it cannot definitively diagnose a kidney stone without imaging tests like an ultrasound or CT scan, which require in-person visits.

What should I do if my pain gets worse during a telemedicine consultation?

If your pain worsens significantly or becomes unbearable, inform your healthcare provider immediately. You may need to seek emergency in-person care.

Is it safe to wait and see if a kidney stone passes on its own?

Many small kidney stones pass naturally with hydration and pain management. However, if you experience red flag symptoms like severe pain, fever, or difficulty urinating, you should seek urgent medical attention.

Can I take over-the-counter pain medication for kidney stone pain?

Yes, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen may help manage pain. Discuss with your telemedicine provider to ensure these are safe for you.

How can I prevent kidney stones from forming again?

Preventive steps often include drinking plenty of fluids, reducing salt intake, and following dietary advice based on the type of stones. Your healthcare provider can offer personalized guidance.

Sources

1. Kidney Stones — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. Kidney Stones: Symptoms and Causes — Mayo Clinic.
3. Kidney Stones — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
4. Kidney Stones — Merck Manuals Consumer Version.

This telemedicine guidance is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for in-person medical evaluation or emergency care. If you experience severe symptoms or red flags, seek immediate medical attention.