Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Urinary tract infection (UTI) | NHS inform Home Illnesses and conditions Symptoms and self-help Tests and treatments Healthy living Care, support and rights Scotlands Service Directory 0 Home Illnesses and conditions Kidneys, bladder and prostate Urinary tract infection (UTI) Urinary tract infection (UTI) Return to Symptoms Enter age Last Updated: Next Review Date: Review my answers Find your local services Search for a service near you by entering your postcode below. Please input your postcode in the following format: A12 1BC GP Practices Dental Services Pharmacies Opticians Postcode Search NHS inform has more information on this condition. Read more Previous Start guide Review my answers  You told us your credentials were: : You said: Based on the information you gave us, we made the following recommendation: Close Keep a copy View PDF Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common infections that affect the bladder, the kidneys and the tubes connected to them. Anyone can get them, but theyre particularly common in women. Some women experience them regularly (called recurrent UTIs). UTIs can be painful and uncomfortable, but usually pass within a few days and can be treated with antibiotics . This page is about UTIs in adults. There is a separate page about UTIs in children . Urinary infection self-help guide Complete our self-help guide to check your symptoms and find out what to do next. Symptoms of UTIs Lower UTIs Infections of the bladder (cystitis) or urethra (tube that carries urine out of the body) are known as lower UTIs. These can cause: a need to pee more often than usual pain or discomfort when peeing sudden urges to pee feeling as though youre unable to empty your bladder fully pain low down in your tummy urine thats cloudy, foul-smelling or contains blood feeling generally unwell, achy and tired You can speak to your pharmacist for advice and treatment on lower UTIs. Lower UTIs are common and arent usually a cause for major concern. Find your nearest pharmacy Upper UTIs Infections of the kidneys or ureters (tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder) are known as upper UTIs. These can cause the same symptoms as lower UTIs and also: a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above pain in your sides or back shivering and chills feeling and being sick confusion agitation or restlessness Upper UTIs can be serious if left untreated, as they could damage the kidneys or spread to the bloodstream. Speak to your GP urgently if: You think you, your child or someone you care for may have a urinary tract infection (UTI) and: have a very high temperature, or feel hot and shivery have a low temperature below 36C are confused or drowsy have pain in the lower tummy or in the back, just under the ribs can see blood in your pee If your GP is closed, phone 111. These symptoms could mean you have a kidney infection , which can be serious if its not treated as it could cause sepsis . Speak to your GP if: you have symptoms of an upper UTI your child has symptoms of a UTI the symptoms are severe or getting worse the symptoms havent started to improve after a few days you get UTIs frequently your symptoms come back after treatment Your GP team can: rule out other possible causes of your symptoms by testing a sample of your urine prescribe antibiotics if you have an infection Treatment for UTIs UTIs are normally treated with a short term course of antibiotics. Most women are given a 3-day course of antibiotic capsules or tablets. Men, pregnant women and people with more serious symptoms may need a slightly longer course. Your symptoms will normally pass within 3 to 5 days of starting treatment. Make sure you complete the whole course of antibiotics that youve been prescribed, even if youre feeling better. Over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol can help with any pain. Drinking plenty of fluids may also help you feel better. Return to your GP if your symptoms dont improve, get worse, or come back after treatment. Causes of UTIs UTIs occur when the urinary tract becomes infected, usually by bacteria. In most cases, bacteria from the gut enter the urinary tract through the urethra. This may happen when wiping your bottom or having sex. But often its not clear why it happens. The following may increase your risk of getting a UTI: conditions that obstruct your urinary tract, such as kidney stones difficulty emptying your bladder fully using a contraceptive diaphragm or condoms coated in spermicide diabetes a weak immune system  for example from chemotherapy or HIV a urinary catheter (a tube in your bladder used to drain urine) an enlarged prostate gland in men Women may be more likely to get UTIs because their urethra is shorter than a mans and is closer to their anus (back passage). Preventing UTIs There are some things you can do to try to prevent UTIs. Do go to the toilet as soon as you need to pee always empty your bladder fully stay well hydrated wipe your bottom from front to back when you go to the toilet pee as soon as possible after having sex have a shower rather than a bath wear underwear made from cotton, rather than synthetic material such as nylon avoid tight jeans and trousers Dont do not use perfumed bubble bath, soap or talcum powder around your genitals  use plain, unperfumed ones instead do not use a diaphragm or condoms with spermicidal lubricant on them  try another type of contraception Speak to your GP if these measures dont work. Drinking cranberry juice or using probiotics arent proven to reduce your chances of getting UTIs. Source: NHS 24 - Opens in new browser window Last updated: 13 February 2023 How can we improve this page? Help us improve NHS inform Thank You Your feedback has been received Dont include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions. 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