If you don't treat a UTI, a long-lasting kidney infection can hurt your kidneys forever. It can affect the way your kidneys function and lead to kidney scars, high blood pressure, and other issues. Sometimes it can even be life-threatening.
You'll take antibiotics to treat a kidney infection. If your symptoms include a high fever and severe pain or you can't keep down fluids, you might also be put in the hospital until your infection has cleared up.