Understanding Urinary Infection Symptoms

Burning sensations, frequent urges to urinate, and abdominal pain can leave you feeling frustrated and unwell. These common urinary tract infection (UTI) symptoms should never be ignored.

Understanding the signs and knowing when to seek care is crucial for complete recovery and preventing complications. Keep reading to explore common UTI symptoms, causes, and treatment options—so you can quickly find the relief you need.

What Is a Urinary Infection?

A UTI is an illness in any part of the urinary tract, the system of organs that makes urine. UTIs often start when bacteria enter the urethra, a tube that allows urine to leave the body. Most infections impact the lower urinary tract (e.g., urethra and bladder).

While both men and women can get UTIs, they are much more common in women, affecting about eight million U.S. annually.

Common Urinary Infection Symptoms

Lower UTIs

Lower UTIs can cause the following symptoms:

• A need to urinate more often than usual.
• Pain, discomfort, or burning sensation when urinating.
• Sudden urges to urinate.
• Feeling as though you are unable to fully empty your bladder.
• Lower abdominal pain
• Urine that is cloudy, foul-smelling, or contains blood (may appear pink).
• Feeling generally unwell, achy, and tired.

While common, lower UTIs must be treated promptly with antibiotics to avoid further complications, like an upper UTI or kidney infection.

Upper UTIs

Infections of the kidneys or ureters (tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder) are called upper UTIs. These can cause the same symptoms as a lower UTI and one or more of the following:

• A fever of 100.4°F or higher.
• Pain in the sides or back.
• Shivering and chills.
• Confusion.
• Agitation or restlessness.

If left untreated, upper UTIs can be dangerous, as they could damage the kidneys or spread to the blood and lead to sepsis, a life-threatening response to an infection.

Symptoms of Urinary Infections in Men

In addition to the common urinary infection symptoms above, male-specific UTI symptoms include:

• Pelvic or perineal pain (the area between the scrotum and anus)
• Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate), which can cause difficulty urinating, a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying—and fever and chills in more severe cases.
• Pain or discomfort in the top of the penis, especially when urinating.
• Pain or discomfort during ejaculation.
• Blood in the semen.

Symptoms of Urinary Infections in Women

In addition to the common urinary infection symptoms above, female-specific UTI symptoms include:

• Generalized pelvic pain and pressure.
• Vaginal discomfort or irritation.

Women may also notice UTI symptoms shortly after sexual activity, which is a common trigger due to their shorter urethra and proximity to the vaginal and anal openings. In young, sexually active women, about 80% of UTIs are caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), the group of bacteria that can be found in the bowel of most people.

How to Differentiate Between a UTI and Other Conditions

To differentiate between a UTI and other conditions, it’s important to understand and look for key differences.

While urinary tract infections cause a burning sensation during urinating, frequent urination, and sometimes blood-tinged urine, other conditions may mimic a UTI. Here’s a quick overview of common conditions and their unique symptoms so you can tell the difference:

• Interstitial cystitis (IC) (women only)
  A chronic bladder condition that causes burning pain in the pelvic region, pain during sexual intercourse, and excessive bleeding during your menstrual cycle.
• Vaginitis (vaginal infection) (women only)
  A vaginal infection or inflammation resulting from medications, irritants, hormonal changes, or infection (e.g., bacterial vaginosis or genital herpes) may cause pain and itchiness in the vaginal area and a thick, milky discharge.
• Prostatitis (men only)
  A disorder of the prostate gland typically associated with inflammation. This disorder normally causes pain and pressure in the perineum, high fever, and elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in the blood.
• Bladder stones
  Bladder stones occur when urine remains in the bladder for too long, causing it to become concentrated and crystalize. They typically cause difficulty starting or stopping urination.
• Kidney stones
  Kidney stones often result from chronic dehydration and a high-sodium diet. Kidney stones usually cause sharp and stabbing pain in the back, side, or abdomen and may change location as the stone moves.
• Overactive bladder (OAB)
  OAB is an intense, frequent, or uncontrollable urge to urinate, even when your bladder isn’t full. OAB is a chronic condition that does not cause painful urination.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Seek urgent medical attention for UTI or UTI-like symptoms when combined with one or more of the following:

• A fever of 103.1°F or higher.
• New or worsening flank pain (pain in the back, just below the rib cage).
• New blood or pus in your urine.
• You are pregnant or have diabetes.
• Your UTI symptoms do not improve with antibiotics.
• You suffer from recurrent UTIs.

Causes of Urinary Infections

Here are the top ten causes of urinary tract infections:

1. Bacterial Infection (e.g., E. coli).
2. Sexual activity and hygiene.
3. Pregnancy (women only).
4. Dehydration.
5. Purposely holding urine for long periods.
6. Obesity.
7. Diabetes.
8. Sexually transmitted infections.
9. Enlarged prostate (men only).
10. Spinal cord injuries or other nerve damage that make it difficult to fully empty the bladder.

How Urinary Infections Are Diagnosed

A healthcare provider will diagnose a simple urinary infection by:

• Reviewing your medical history.
• Performing a physical exam.
• Ordering and analyzing a urine test (e.g., urinalysis) and urine culture.

A medical professional can perform a urinalysis and provide results within 10-15 minutes. The sample may be sent to the lab for further testing, which can take 1-3 days, but some germs can take longer to grow.

Treatment Options for Urinary Infections

UTIs are typically treated with a course of antibiotics. Treatment length depends on the type of infection and the patient’s medical history.

Most UTIs cannot be cured with home remedies and require prescription antibiotics. Visit your nearest CareWell Urgent Care for prompt, effective treatment. Our providers can quickly assess and diagnose your UTI, prescribe appropriate antibiotics, and recommend over-the-counter pain relievers to provide relief while you wait for symptoms to subside.

Home Remedies for Relief

In addition to antibiotics and over-the-counter analgesics (pain-relievers), you can help reduce symptoms of UTI by:

• Staying hydrated.
• Drinking unsweetened cranberry juice helps prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of your urinary tract.
• Taking D-mannose helps prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of your urinary tract.
• Taking probiotics to replenish natural flora balance in your body.
• Using a heating pad on the abdomen to soothe pain and discomfort.
• Practicing good hygiene to prevent symptom worsening.
• Urinating frequently to help flush bacteria from your urinary tract.

Preventing Urinary Infections

Here are a few tips to help prevent urinary infections:

• Stay hydrated to keep your bladder healthy.
• Urinate before and after sex.
• Empty your bladder every three hours while you are awake.
• Shower or bathe before and after sex.
• Always wipe from front to back after using the bathroom.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing and breathable materials, like cotton, to prevent moisture build-up.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I know if I have a urinary infection?

The most common symptom of a UTI is burning or pain while urinating.

An at-home UTI test can help you determine whether you have nitrites or leukocytes in your urine, which indicate an infection.

Can urinary infections go away on their own?

On rare occasions, a very mild UTI might resolve on its own.

However, most UTIs require a course of antibiotics.

Get Help Today

Visit your nearest CareWell Urgent Care center at the first sign of urinary infection symptoms to avoid further complications. We provide fast, effective, same-day treatment for a wide range of injuries and illnesses.