Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) may include: pain or a burning sensation when peeing (dysuria) needing to pee more often than usual needing to pee more often than usual during the night (nocturia) needing to pee suddenly or more urgently than usual pee that looks cloudy blood in your pee lower tummy pain or pain in your back, just under the ribs a high temperature, or feeling hot or cold, and shivery a very low temperature below 36C feeling tired or weak Your pee may also be dark or smell. If this is your only symptom, it might be because you've not been drinking enough water. Symptoms in children Children with UTIs may also: have a high temperature – your child is feeling hotter than usual if you touch their neck, back or tummy appear generally unwell – babies and young children may be irritable and not feed, eat or drink properly wet the bed or wet themselves be sick Symptoms in older, frail people or people with a urinary catheter In older, frail people who have problems with memory, learning and concentration (such as dementia), and people with a urinary catheter , symptoms of a UTI may also include: changes in behaviour, such as acting agitated or confused (delirium) leaking pee (wetting themselves or incontinence) that is worse than usual new shivering or shaking (rigors)

If a GP thinks you may have a urinary tract infection (UTI), they may do a urine test, although this is not always needed. A GP may also: offer self-care advice and recommend taking a painkiller give you a prescription for a short course of antibiotics ask you to wait for 48 hours before getting antibiotics in case your symptoms go away on their own It's important to take all the medicine you are prescribed, even if you start to feel better. Treatment for UTIs that keep coming back (recurrent UTIs) If your UTI comes back after treatment, or you have 2 UTIs in 6 months (or 3 within 12 months), you'll need to see a GP. They may: prescribe a different antibiotic or prescribe a low-dose antibiotic to take for up to 6 months prescribe a vaginal cream, gel, tablet, pessary or ring containing oestrogen, if you are in perimenopause or have gone through the menopause prescribe tablets that treat the infection and stop it from coming back refer you to a specialist for further tests and treatments

Sometimes UTI symptoms do not go away. Short-term antibiotics may not work and urine tests may not show an infection. This might mean you have a long-term (chronic) UTI. This can be caused by bacteria entering the lining of your bladder. Chronic UTIs can be difficult to diagnose because urine tests do not always pick up the infection and the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. Chronic UTIs might be treated with antibiotics you take for a long time. Chronic UTIs can have a big impact on your quality of life. If you have been treated for a UTI but you still have symptoms, speak to your GP and ask to be referred to a specialist.

To help ease symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI): take paracetamol up to 4 times a day to reduce pain and a high temperature you can give children liquid paracetamol rest and drink enough fluids so you pass pale urine regularly during the day avoid drinks that may irritate your bladder, like fruit juices, coffee and alcohol Some people who are not pregnant take cystitis sachets or cranberry drinks and products to prevent UTIs from happening, which may help. But there's no evidence they help ease symptoms or treat a UTI if the infection has already started.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are usually caused by bacteria from poo entering the urinary tract. The bacteria enter through the tube that carries pee out of the body (urethra). Women have a shorter urethra than men. This means bacteria are more likely to reach the bladder or kidneys and cause an infection. Things that increase the risk of bacteria getting into the bladder include: pregnancy wiping your bottom from back to front after going to the toilet conditions that block the urinary tract, such as kidney stones conditions that make it difficult to fully empty the bladder, such as an enlarged prostate in men and constipation in children urinary catheters (a tube in your bladder used to drain urine) having a weakened immune system – for example, if you have poorly controlled diabetes or you are having chemotherapy having been through the menopause using spermicide with contraception not drinking enough fluids

There are some things you can try to help prevent a urinary tract infection (UTI) happening or prevent it returning. Do wipe from front to back when you go to the toilet keep the genital area clean and dry drink plenty of fluids, particularly water, so that you regularly pee during the day and do not feel thirsty wash the skin around the vagina with water before and after sex pee as soon as possible after sex promptly change nappies or incontinence pads if they are soiled wear cotton underwear Don’t do not use scented soap around the genital area do not hold your pee in if you feel the urge to go do not rush when going for a pee – try to fully empty your bladder do not wear tight underwear do not drink lots of alcoholic drinks, as they may irritate your bladder do not have lots of sugary food or drinks, as they may encourage bacteria to grow do not use condoms or a diaphragm or cap with spermicidal lube on them – try non-spermicidal lube or a different type of contraception Other ways to prevent some UTIs coming back If you keep getting a bladder infection (cystitis), there's some evidence it may be helpful to take: D-mannose – a sugar you can buy as a powder or tablets to take every day cranberry products – available as juice, tablets or capsules to take every day Speak to your doctor before taking any of these during pregnancy. Be aware that D-mannose and cranberry products can contain a lot of sugar. If you're taking warfarin, you should avoid cranberry products.