Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

While it is possible to have a urinary tract infection (UTI) without any symptoms, most people notice symptoms.

The Female Urinary System

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Symptoms of a urinary tract infection include the following:

• Increased frequency of urination
• Feeling of urgency to urinate
• Burning or pain while urinating
• Itching in the genital area
• Urinating only small amounts of urine at a time
• Pain over the area of the bladder (the pubic area or lower abdomen) or in the lower back
• Pain along the sides under the ribs (back and flank pain)
• Blood in the urine, or on the tissue after wiping following urination in women
• Cloudy looking urine, possibly with pus
• Unpleasant smell to urine
• New onset of incontinence (inability to hold the urine during the day or night)

The following symptoms suggest that the infection has gone up into the kidneys, a more serious problem:

• Fever, chills
• Severe pain in the lower back

Children (babies in particular) may have less common symptoms of UTI, such as:

• Irritability
• Difficulty feeding
• Incontinence
• Loose stools, diarrhea
• Nausea, vomiting
• Slow weight gain ( failure-to-thrive)

Older people may have more vague symptoms of a UTI, such as fatigue, confusion, loss of appetite, or trouble walking.