Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Anyone can get them, but they’re 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.




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.




This page is about UTIs in adults. There is a separate page about UTIs in children.

Symptoms

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 you’re unable to empty your bladder fully  pain low down in your tummy  urine that’s 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 aren’t 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 38ºC (100.4ºF) 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 36°C 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 it’s 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 haven’t 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