Urinary Tract Infection
Recognising urinary infection symptoms, understanding treatment and knowing when you should seek prompt medical help.
A guide for patients and carers
What is a urinary tract infection?
A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection in part of the urinary system. Bladder infections are commonly caused by bacteria entering and multiplying in the bladder. An infection can sometimes spread to the kidneys, which needs prompt treatment.
Recognising symptoms
Common bladder infection symptoms include burning when passing urine, needing to go frequently or urgently, and discomfort in the lower abdomen. Urine may look cloudy or contain blood. These symptoms can overlap with other bladder conditions, so do not assume that every episode has the same cause.
Fever or chills, pain in the back or side, nausea or vomiting can suggest a kidney infection. Seek medical help promptly if these develop.
Getting an assessment
Your healthcare professional will ask about your symptoms, medical history and previous infections. A urine test is sometimes needed. A culture can identify bacteria and help guide the choice of antibiotic; results may take a few days.
Blood tests may be used if a more serious infection is suspected. Repeated infections can sometimes lead to further investigation, such as a scan or examination inside the bladder. Tell your clinician about recent antibiotic treatment, allergies, pregnancy, a catheter or any difficulty emptying your bladder.
Treatment and self-care
Bacterial bladder infections may need antibiotics. The choice and length of treatment depend on your circumstances and test results. Antibiotics are not always appropriate when infection has not been confirmed; other causes of symptoms may need to be explored.
Take any prescribed course exactly as directed, even if you begin to feel better. Contact your prescriber if side effects or difficulty taking the medicine are a problem. Ask a pharmacist or clinician about suitable pain relief.
Drink enough to stay hydrated. If a heart, kidney or other condition limits how much you can drink, follow your healthcare team’s advice. Rest and symptom relief can help while treatment works, but they do not replace assessment when warning signs are present.
When to seek urgent help
Contact a GP urgently or NHS 111 for suspected UTI with fever, shivering, back or lower abdominal pain, or blood in the urine. Prompt advice is also important during pregnancy, for men, children, adults aged 65 or over, and people with diabetes, a catheter or a weakened immune system.
Seek advice if symptoms worsen or do not improve within 48 hours of starting treatment, or keep returning. Call 999 or go to A&E for confusion, marked drowsiness or difficulty speaking.
If infections keep returning
Ask for a review if you have two UTIs within six months or three within a year. Bring a record of episodes, test results and treatment where available. This can help your clinician decide whether further investigation or a prevention plan is appropriate.
Sources & further reading
NHS — UTIs and when to get help
NIDDK — bladder infection symptoms and causes
NIDDK — treatment and self-care
Information checked against the sources above on 22 September 2026. This general guide supports conversations with your healthcare team and does not replace personal medical advice.
