Urinary Tract Infection Conditions & Symptoms

A urinary tract infection (UTI) begins in the urinary system, which consists of the urethra, uteters, bladder and kidneys. Any of these areas can become infected, but UTIs usually occur in the bladder or urethra.

Common Symptoms

• UTI symptoms come on quickly and include a strong urge to urinate, burning urination and passing small amounts of urine very frequently. Urine can also be cloudy, have a strong odor, and contain blood and bacteria.

Kidney

• If the kidneys are infected due to a UTI, there will be pain in the upper back and side, nausea, vomiting, a high fever and possibly shaking and chills.

Bladder

• If the UTI infection is in the bladder, the patient will likely have a mild fever, discomfort in the lower abdomen, pressure on the pelvis, and urination that is frequent and painful.

Urethra

• If the bladder is infected due to a UTI, there will be urination accompanied by a burning sensation.

Complications

• UTIs rarely lead to complications if treated properly. Untreated, UTIs can lead to kidney infections, which could permanently damage the kidneys.

Treatment

• Antibiotics are typically given to treat UTIs when the condition is simple or recurrent. Severe UTIs may require a hospital stay and intravenous antibiotics.