Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can affect different parts of your urinary tract, including your bladder (cystitis), urethra (urethritis) or kidneys (kidney infection). Most UTIs can be easily treated with antibiotics.
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Common Symptoms
- needing to pee suddenly or more often than usual
- pain or a burning sensation when peeing
- smelly or cloudy pee
- blood in your pee
- pain in your lower tummy
- feeling tired and unwell
- in older people, changes in behaviour such as severe confusion or agitation
Treatment at home
- Your doctor or nurse may prescribe antibiotics to treat a UTI.
- Once you start treatment, the symptoms should start to clear up within 5 days in adults and 2 days in children.
- It’s important to finish the whole course of antibiotics, even if you start to feel better.
- Some people with a severe UTI may be referred to hospital for treatment and tests. You may need to stay for a few days.
- Hospital treatment is more likely for men and children with a UTI.
When should I book a GP?
- you have symptoms of a UTI
- you’re pregnant and have symptoms of a UTI
- your child has symptoms of a UTI
- you’re caring for someone elderly who may have a UTI
- you have not had a UTI before
- you have blood in your pee
- your symptoms do not improve within a few days
- your symptoms come back after treatment
Seek urgent medical review if:
- you have pain in your kidney area
- you have a temperature
- you become confused
