UTI: Symptoms & Treatment

A urinary tract infection (UTI) can affect the bladder, urethra or kidneys. Bladder infection commonly causes burning while urinating and frequent urges, while kidney infection can cause fever and pain in the back or side and may become serious if untreated.

Common symptoms
Typical bladder symptoms include burning urination, frequent or urgent urination, lower abdominal discomfort and sometimes blood in the urine. Urine may smell stronger or look cloudy, but these changes alone do not always prove infection.

When the kidneys may be involved
Fever, chills, nausea, vomiting and pain in the back or side can suggest an upper urinary infection. This requires more prompt medical evaluation than uncomplicated bladder symptoms.

Diagnosis and treatment
A clinician may use symptoms, examination and urine testing to decide whether antibiotics are appropriate. Antibiotics should be taken exactly as prescribed. Repeated self-treatment can contribute to resistance and may miss another cause of urinary symptoms.

Prevention
Adequate fluid intake, not routinely holding urine for long periods and appropriate hygiene can help. People with recurrent UTIs may need an evaluation for contributing factors rather than repeatedly taking antibiotics without assessment.

When to seek medical help?
Fever with urinary symptoms, flank pain, vomiting, pregnancy, severe illness, confusion or symptoms in a very young child warrant prompt medical assessment.



Medical note: This article is for general health education and does not replace an examination, diagnosis or personalised medical advice. Treatment decisions should be made with a qualified healthcare professional.