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What are the symptoms of urinary tract infections?

The symptoms of urinary tract infections vary according to whether the bladder, kidneys or prostate are affected. When the bladder is infected, symptoms include a strong or foul urine odour, cloudy urine, frequent urination, low fever, blood in the urine, burning pain while urinating, or pain in the lower back or pelvis. When the kidneys are infected, symptoms include chills, shaking, fever, fatigue, reddened skin, pain in the side, back or groin and confusion or behavioural changes, especially in the elderly. If just the prostate is involved, there tend to be flu-like symptoms of fever and lower backache.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What are urinary tract infections?

A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria or other pathogens cause infection of the urinary system. Most of these infections are caused by E. coli bacteria.

What causes urinary tract infections?

Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria and sometime fungi. The most common type of bacteria is a type of E. coli, although other bacteria, such as the one that causes chlamydia, can also cause the infection.

How are urinary tract infections diagnosed?

Although you will often be given antibiotics based on your symptoms, a urine culture will often be performed to confirm diagnosis of a urinary tract infection. The reason antibiotics are provided before the culture results is that the urine …

How are urinary tract infections treated?

Urinary tract infections are treated with antibiotics, taken for a period ranging anywhere from a day to a week to several weeks, depending on the infection.

Can urinary tract infections be prevented?

It is possible that frequent urination and urinating soon after sex can reduce your risk of urinary tract infections. Contraception other than diaphragms and spermicides are advised for women as these can increase the risk of a urinary tract …

Will urinary tract infections keep returning?

Urinary tract infections can relapse or return if you do not complete your course of antibiotics, or return to them at a later date. Preventative antibiotics are sometimes prescribed to help prevent recurrent infections, but their use is …

Are there different types of urinary tract infections?

Urinary tract infections can be caused by a range of different bacteria, but most commonly are caused by a type of E. coli. Infection of different areas of the urinary system such as the bladder, kidneys and prostate all give rise to …

What is the outcome for urinary tract infections?

With antibiotic treatment, the outcome for most urinary tract infections is good. Symptoms usually go away within a couple of days, although the full course of antibiotics will need to be continued and finished after symptoms have gone, …

Are urinary tract infection serious?

Left untreated, urinary tract infections can be serious. Complications of urinary tract infections include infection of the bloodstream (sepsis), abscess formation in the kidneys and even kidney damage and failure.

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About this article

Author: Jonathan Meddings BMedLabSc (Hons)
First answered: 17 Nov 2014
Last reviewed: 18 May 2018
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Votes: 878 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Bladder cancer

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